Seoul, South Korea — Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared in court on Saturday for a pivotal hearing that will determine whether his detention will be extended. Investigators are probing his failed attempt to impose martial law, which has led to serious insurrection charges.
On December 3, President Yoon declared martial law, a move that lasted a mere six hours. The declaration was met with swift opposition as lawmakers voted it down, despite Yoon’s orders for soldiers to storm the parliament in an effort to halt them. The failed bid resulted in his impeachment shortly thereafter.
In a dramatic turn of events, Yoon was detained during a dawn raid on Wednesday after he refused to comply with investigators’ summons and barricaded himself in his residence. Utilizing his presidential security detail, he resisted arrest, becoming South Korea’s first sitting president to be detained. During the initial 48 hours of detention, Yoon declined to cooperate with authorities.
Prosecutors have requested a new warrant to extend his detention, and Yoon attended the court hearing to address this request. Speaking for 40 minutes, he aimed to “restore his honor,” according to statements made by his lawyer to Yonhap News Agency.
The court faces a critical decision: either release Yoon or extend his detention for an additional 20 days. A ruling is expected late Saturday or early Sunday. Should the court approve the extension, prosecutors will have time to formalize an indictment for insurrection, a charge that carries the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty. This would likely mean Yoon would remain in custody throughout the duration of his trial.
If released, Yoon is expected to return to his residence, strengthening his assertions that the investigations into his martial law attempt and subsequent impeachment are unjustified. He maintains that he agreed to leave his compound to prevent “bloodshed” but continues to challenge the legality of the investigation.
Throughout the proceedings, Yoon has refused to answer investigators’ questions, with his legal team stating that he had already explained his position upon his arrest. His absence has also been noted in a parallel inquiry at the Constitutional Court, which is deliberating on whether to uphold his impeachment. Failure in this court would result in Yoon’s formal removal from office and trigger elections within 60 days.
The Constitutional Court’s trial has commenced without Yoon’s attendance at the first two hearings. Despite his absence, the trial is set to continue and could span several months.
Political analysts like Park Sang-byung suggest that if the warrant is issued, Yoon “will likely be unable to return home for an extended period,” indicating a prolonged legal battle ahead.
The nation watches closely as these events unfold, marking a tumultuous chapter in South Korea’s political landscape.
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South Korea's Yoon attends court hearing on extending detention
cgtn.com
