Seoul, South Korea — Arrest and detention was unjustified.
This was the ruling of a South Korean court regarding the detainment of the impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol, following his declaration of short-lived martial law.
The Seoul Central District Court granted Yoon’s request to cancel the arrest warrant issued against him, arguing that it was illegal.
It can be recalled that Yoon was arrested on January 15, and has since been detained. He was the first sitting president of South Korea to be detained on criminal charges.
“It is reasonable to conclude that the indictment was filed after the defendant’s detention period had expired,” said a document from the Seoul Central District Court.
The court further stated: “To ensure procedural clarity and eliminate any doubts regarding the legality of the investigative process, it would be appropriate to issue a decision to cancel the detention.”
Yoon’s legal team welcomed this decision, saying that this attests that the “country’s rule of law is still alive.”
While the decision paves way for Yoon’s release, his lawyers said that the defendant will be immediately released.
The prosecutors have seven days to appeal to the ruling, with Yoon’s lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon, saying: “The defendant will be released only if the prosecutor waives the right to appeal, or does not file an appeal within the prescribed period.”
On the other hand, despite the arrest order being cancelled, Yoon is still facing criminal charges over an alleged insurrection attempt.