Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from prison on Saturday after a court overturned his arrest, allowing him to face trial for rebellion without being detained.
This follows Yoon’s arrest and indictment in January related to his martial law decree issued on December 3rd. The decree triggered political upheaval, and the National Assembly subsequently voted to reverse it. The Assembly also voted to impeach Yoon, leading to his suspension from presidential duties.
On Saturday, Yoon was seen waving, clenching his fists, and bowing to supporters who cheered his name and waved both South Korean and U.S. flags. He then entered a black van to return to his Seoul residence.
In a statement, Yoon expressed “appreciation for the Seoul Central District Court’s courageous decision to correct illegality,” seemingly referring to the questions surrounding his arrest. He also thanked his supporters and encouraged those on hunger strike protesting his impeachment to end their protest.
The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating whether to formally remove or reinstate Yoon as president. If the court upholds the impeachment, an election will be held within two months.
The Seoul Central District Court stated on Friday that it granted Yoon’s request for release from prison, citing the necessity of addressing the legal concerns regarding the investigations into the president.
Yoon’s legal team has argued that the investigative body that detained him before his formal arrest lacked the legal authority to investigate the rebellion charges.
The Seoul court also noted that the legal period for his formal arrest had expired before his indictment.
Yoon’s release occurred after prosecutors chose not to appeal the Seoul Central District Court’s ruling. South Korean law permits prosecutors to continue holding a suspect in custody while pursuing an appeal, even after a court cancels the arrest.
The main liberal opposition , which initiated Yoon’s impeachment in December, criticized the prosecutors’ decision not to appeal, accusing them of being Yoon’s “henchmen,” a reference to his former role as prosecutor general.
Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Seung-rae urged the Constitutional Court to expedite Yoon’s dismissal to prevent further public unrest.
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