South Korean prosecutors have submitted a renewed request to extend President Yoon Suk-yeol's detention, following an investigation into his attempted declaration of martial law last month. The move comes after a Seoul court dismissed their initial request the previous day, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated in a press release that, based on precedent, the prosecution's right to conduct supplementary investigations on cases referred by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is recognized. This justification was provided to explain the prosecutors' decision to file another extension request.
The prosecution initially sought to prolong President Yoon's detention on Thursday when the CIO, which had already conducted its own investigation, transferred the case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. However, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the prosecution lacked sufficient grounds to continue investigating, stating that their role was to decide whether to indict the president.
Under South Korean law, the processes of investigation and indictment are separated to ensure fairness. Despite this, prosecutors are expected to indict President Yoon on charges of insurrection and other offenses this weekend.
On January 19, another court issued a warrant authorizing the detention of President Yoon for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, making him the country's first incumbent president to be formally arrested. President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15.
The CIO and the prosecution agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charges by questioning the impeached president for ten days each. The motion to impeach President Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on December 14 of last year and delivered to the Constitutional Court for deliberation, during which his presidential powers are suspended for up to 180 days.
President Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader in an insurrection, following his declaration of martial law on the night of December 3 last year. The martial law was promptly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later.
The unfolding legal proceedings mark a significant moment in the Republic of Korea's political landscape, as the nation grapples with the implications of its first sitting president being arrested and potentially indicted on serious charges.
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Prosecutors seek to extend Yoon's detention after martial law probe
cgtn.com
