South Korean prosecutors have made a renewed request to extend President Yoon Suk-yeol's detention beyond its initial period in relation to a probe into his attempted declaration of martial law last month. This follows a Seoul court's rejection of their previous request, local news agency Yonhap reported.
In a press release, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated 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 explanation accompanied their second request for an extension.
The prosecution initially sought to extend President Yoon's detention on Thursday after the CIO, which had previously investigated the case, transferred it to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. However, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the prosecution lacked sufficient grounds to continue the investigation, noting that their role was to decide whether to indict President Yoon.
Under South Korean law, investigation and indictment are separated to ensure fairness. Despite this separation, the prosecution is expected to indict President Yoon on charges of insurrection and other offenses this weekend.
A warrant to keep President Yoon in custody for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, was issued by another court on January 19. This made him the country's first incumbent president to be formally arrested. The CIO and the prosecution agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charge by questioning the impeached president for ten days each.
President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has been arrested. The National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him on December 14 of last year, which was then delivered to the Constitutional Court for deliberation of up to 180 days. During this period, President Yoon's presidential powers are suspended.
On the night of December 3 last year, President Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on an insurrection charge, declared martial law. However, the National Assembly revoked the declaration hours later.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Prosecutors seek to extend Yoon's detention after martial law probe
cgtn.com
