Seoul -South Korean prosecutors have again filed for an extension of the detention of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached for failing to implement a military emergency. The request for an extension of detention by the prosecutor was previously rejected by the Seoul court.
Reported by AFP, Saturday (25/1/2025), Yoon was arrested in a raid early last Sunday on charges of rebellion. Yoon became the first head of state of South Korea to be detained in a criminal investigation.
The court issued an arrest warrant for him last week, stating that there is a risk Yoon will destroy evidence. However, investigators said the original document expires next Tuesday.
Yonhap News Agency reported that last Friday night, the Seoul Central District Court rejected investigators’ request to extend his detention until February 6. The court said that it was difficult to find sufficient grounds.
A few hours later, the prosecutor filed a new request for an extension of detention.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) has referred the case to the prosecutor’s office. CIO recommended that the prosecutor decide whether to charge Yoon with leading a rebellion or abuse of power.
Currently, Yoon is still detained at a detention center in Seoul. Yoon remains the head of state of South Korea despite being detained.
The CIO previously accused Yoon of conspiring with his former defense minister and other military commanders to disrupt the constitutional order.
Experts say that the decision to deny the extension of detention means prosecutors must act quickly to charge Yoon so he remains in custody.
“The judge seems to have decided that there is no justification for further investigation against Yoon and that the prosecutors should decide whether to file charges,” said lawyer and political observer Yoo Jung-hoon to AFP.
Yoon refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation into his military emergency declaration. His legal defense team argues that the investigators do not have legal authority.
The suspended president is also facing a separate trial in the Constitutional Court. If the trial’s verdict supports the impeachment, Yoon will be officially removed from office. Elections must also be held within 60 days.