Politics South Korea's suspended President Yoon must remain in custody
The suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol must remain in custody. The district court in the capital Seoul issued a corresponding arrest warrant, as reported by the official news agency Yonhap.
19.01.2025, 02:30
SDA
This means that the investigators can now keep Yoon in custody for up to 20 days - including the days he has already spent in prison. According to police estimates, more than 40,000 supporters of Yoon protested outside the court. This led to riots.
The authorities arrested Yoon on Wednesday in order to question him. They are investigating whether he was guilty of attempting to incite a riot by briefly declaring martial law on December 3. The investigators are also accusing him of abuse of office.
According to Yonhap, the court based its decision to issue the arrest warrant on the risk that evidence could otherwise be destroyed. While Yoon is in custody, investigators can hand the case over to the prosecution for prosecution.
Riots at the court
According to Yonhap, Yoon is the first South Korean president to be formally arrested in office. The extension of detention was requested by the Corruption Investigation Bureau for High-Level Officials (CIO). The hearing on Saturday (local time) lasted almost five hours until the evening. The court then issued the arrest warrant on Sunday (local time).
After the court decision was announced, angry demonstrators smashed the windows of the court and forced their way into the building. Others threw objects at police officers.
Defense lawyers defend themselves against investigations
Yoon had previously refused to testify. During the detention hearing, he justified the alleged legality of the declaration of martial law, as Yonhap reported, citing Yoon's lawyer.
Yoon's defense lawyers consider the investigation against him to be unlawful and argue that the anti-corruption agency is not responsible for it. The declaration of martial law was an act of government action and therefore cannot be the subject of a court ruling, they explained according to Yonhap.
Further proceedings pending
Yoon had surprisingly decided to take the controversial step in a budget dispute with the opposition, but then lifted martial law again after a short time. He said he had done so to protect the nation. South Korea subsequently plunged into a serious national crisis. Parliament finally voted to impeach Yoon on December 14.
Parallel to the investigation by the CIO Corruption Investigation Bureau, impeachment proceedings are therefore underway against Yoon at the Constitutional Court. If the constitutional judges confirm the parliament's decision, South Korea would face early elections. Should they revoke it, Yoon would be back in office as president.
