A South Korean court has overturned an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. This decision allows him to stay out of jail while waiting for his trial on serious insurrection charges.
Yoon’s lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon, mentioned that Yoon might not be released right away since prosecutors can appeal the ruling.
The Seoul Central District Court explained its decision by stating that prosecutors indicted Yoon after his initial detention period had ended. They also raised concerns about the legality of the investigative process. The court emphasized the need for procedural clarity, which led them to cancel his detention.
Yoon was arrested in January for allegedly attempting to create unrest by imposing martial law on December 3. His actions frightened many in South Korea, sparking memories of past military dictatorships. A tense stand-off ensued as he resisted arrest for two weeks at his presidential residence, leading to multiple failed attempts by prosecutors to detain him.
Despite the court’s decision, Yoon still faces serious criminal charges. Prosecutors claim his actions could be seen as rebellion, which carries severe penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment. His trial will proceed without him being physically detained.
Additionally, Yoon’s political troubles are far from over. He was impeached by lawmakers in December, and a separate impeachment trial is ongoing. The Constitutional Court is expected to decide soon whether to uphold the impeachment, which would remove him from office and trigger a national election for a new president.
Throughout this turmoil, Yoon has remained defiant. At a hearing in February, he defended his martial law declaration, saying it was necessary to confront threats to national security, including external forces like North Korea.
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