SEOUL: A South Korean court denied a request to release impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday. The rejection follows his detention for questioning over allegations of rebellion linked to last month’s martial law declaration.
Former President Detained Amid Investigation
Yoon was detained at his residence and moved to a detention center near Seoul after undergoing hours of questioning. During over 10 hours of questioning on Wednesday, he exercised his right to remain silent, refusing further interrogation.
Legal Efforts to Secure Release Denied
Lawyers representing Yoon challenged the legality of his detention warrant in Seoul Central District Court on Thursday. However, the court dismissed their arguments and refused to authorize his release. The detention warrant was originally issued by the Seoul Western District Court.
Anti-Corruption Agency Intensifies Probe
The anti-corruption agency, leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities, is probing allegations of attempted rebellion. Officials now face a 48-hour window to either seek a court order for Yoon’s formal arrest or release him.
Lawyers File Complaints Over Raid
Yoon’s legal team declared the raid on the presidential residence, which led to his detention, was unlawful. Yoon’s lawyers officially filed complaints with prosecutors on Thursday, criticizing the operation’s legality.
Security Concerns Cited for Absence
Yoon did not attend the Central District Court hearing regarding his detention warrant review due to security concerns. His lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon, stated that attending the hearing could have posed significant risks to the former president’s safety.
Public Protests Call for Release
Hundreds of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the court and detention center, demanding his release. They held banners and chanted slogans for hours, showing strong public backing for the detained leader.
Next Steps in the Investigation
Authorities are expected to seek an official arrest order for Yoon in the coming days. The investigation into his martial law declaration remains ongoing, with officials working to determine if it constituted an act of rebellion.