Official ruling from the Constitutional Court of South Korea

South Korean Investigators Seek to Extend Detention of Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol Over Rebellion Charges at Seoul Detention Centre

Jan 17, 2025, 09:18 AM

South Korean investigators have requested a court warrant to extend the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been held at the Seoul Detention Centre since his arrest on Wednesday and is now on his third day there. The request comes as Yoon, who faces potential rebellion charges related to his declaration of martial law on December 3, has repeatedly refused to be questioned by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). The agency seeks to extend his detention by up to 20 days, a move that could lead to an extended period in custody as the case moves towards indictment by public prosecutors. Yoon's arrest has triggered South Korea's most severe political crisis since its democratization in the late 1980s, following his impeachment on December 14. The Constitutional Court is currently reviewing whether to permanently suspend his powers or reinstate him to office. The Seoul Central District Court has rejected a challenge from Yoon's lawyers regarding the legality of his arrest. Yoon's lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon, stated that Yoon has fully expressed his position and sees no need for further questioning. If convicted of rebellion, Yoon faces the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty.