South Korea: Court to Examine Yoon's Detention Legality
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Synopsis
A Seoul court is set to review the legality of the detention of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, requested by his lawyers after investigators took him into custody over his martial law declaration. The court's decision will determine whether Yoon will remain in custody or be released.
Key Takeaways
- The Seoul court is reviewing Yoon's detention legality.
- Yoon was detained for declaring martial law on December 3.
- His legal team has filed for a review of the arrest warrant.
- Yoon faces serious charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
- The court session is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Seoul, Jan 16 (NationPress) A court in Seoul is poised to assess the legality of the detention of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol following a request from his legal team. This comes after he was taken into custody over his brief declaration of martial law, according to judicial sources on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Yoon's attorneys submitted the review request to the Seoul Central District Court located in southern Seoul, after investigators detained him for inquiries regarding his martial law declaration made on December 3.
Officials indicated that Yoon's current detention period of 48 hours has been temporarily suspended while the court deliberates on the legality of his arrest.
The court has scheduled a session for 5 p.m. on Thursday to evaluate the legality of Yoon's detention, as per the sources.
It has 48 hours from the receipt of the request to reach a decision, which involves questioning the suspect and reviewing evidence provided by investigators. Should it determine that Yoon's detention is unlawful, he will be released, reported Yonhap news agency.
Investigators, led by the state ant-corruption agency, interrogated Yoon for 10 hours the previous day before he spent the night in a detention facility. They plan to continue questioning him at 2 p.m.
Earlier in the day, detained President Yoon Suk Yeol defied an order from investigators to attend a second day of questioning regarding his brief martial law declaration, according to the state anti-corruption agency.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) stated that Yoon’s lawyer informed them just 10 minutes before the scheduled questioning that he would not appear at the 2 p.m. session.
Yoon's attorney, Yun Gap-geun, stated to Yonhap News Agency that the president had no intention of participating in any further questioning despite the CIO's notification of a rescheduling.
"President Yoon is not well and thoroughly presented his stance yesterday, so there’s nothing additional to interrogate," Yun remarked.
Yoon spent Wednesday night at a detention center following over 10 hours of questioning at the CIO office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul. He was detained at his home and transported to the facility that same day.
Yoon is facing allegations of insurrection and abuse of power linked to his martial law declaration on December 3, claims he firmly rejects.
He declined to respond to any questions on Wednesday, according to the CIO.
Yoon's legal team has requested a review of the legality of the warrant issued for his detention, which will be conducted by the Seoul Central District Court at 5 p.m.
