South Korean Court Denies Extension of Impeached President Yoon's Detention Over Insurrection and Abuse of Power Charges

Jan 24, 2025, 05:49 AM

South Korea's Seoul Central District Court rejected a request from prosecutors to extend the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been held since last week over his attempt to impose martial law on December 3. Yoon, impeached on December 14, saw his martial law declaration last only six hours before being overturned by parliament. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) had transferred the case to prosecutors, recommending charges of insurrection and abuse of power. The court's decision not to extend Yoon's detention until February 6 was based on the lack of substantial reason for prosecutors to continue the investigation after receiving evidence from the CIO. Yoon's legal team has argued that the CIO lacks the authority to investigate the case, claiming the investigation to be illegal, and that any criminal investigation should follow the Constitutional Court's decision on his impeachment.