Supporters Celebrate the Release of Impeached South Korean Leader Yoon
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On March 8, hundreds of supporters celebrated the release of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol from jail. His release followed a court's decision to cancel his arrest related to a failed martial law bid, allowing him to stand trial without detention.
Key Takeaways
- Yoon Suk Yeol was released from jail.
- A court allowed him to stand trial without detention.
- Supporters gathered in large numbers to cheer for him.
- His legal team claimed prosecution delays affected his release.
- The situation has intensified political tensions in South Korea.
Seoul, March 8 (NationPress) Hundreds of supporters erupted in cheers as impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was freed from jail on Saturday, just a day after a court nullified his arrest and permitted him to face trial without being detained over his unsuccessful martial law attempt.
Emerging from the Seoul Detention Centre at 5:48 p.m., around 600 supporters chanted "Yoon Suk Yeol" while applauding.
After exiting a security vehicle, Yoon approached the main gate, waved his hand, and raised his fist in acknowledgment of the cheering crowd. He bowed twice to show his appreciation.
Clad in a dark navy suit, Yoon expressed gratitude to his supporters before entering the vehicle and departing for his official residence in central Seoul.
Upon reaching his residence at 6:16 p.m., Yoon again stepped out to bow to the supporters, who enthusiastically chanted his name.
According to police reports, approximately 2,000 individuals had congregated in front of the official residence, as noted by Yonhap news agency.
At the residence, Yoon shared dinner with first lady Kim Keon Hee and his senior advisors, as per a presidential source.
On Friday, the court granted Yoon's request after establishing that his January 26 indictment on insurrection charges, which allowed for an extension of his detention, was issued shortly after the initial detention period had already lapsed.
The initial 10-day detention period excludes the time taken for documents to be sent to court for a review regarding the arrest warrant, thereby extending the deadline for Yoon's detention to around 9 a.m. on January 26, while the prosecution had indicted him just before 7 p.m. that same day, according to the court.
Yoon's legal team claimed that the prosecution had intentionally delayed his release, which occurred 27 hours post the court's ruling.
"The president's release signifies more than just rectifying an individual's injustice; it marks the commencement of a challenging path to restore the fractured rule of law in this nation," the team stated in an announcement.
The ruling People Power Party welcomed Yoon's release and urged the Constitutional Court to consider the court's ruling during the impeachment proceedings.
"This is a just decision, and the party hopes it will serve as a pivotal moment to amend the distorted rule of law," party spokesperson Shin Dong-wook noted in a statement.
Conversely, the main opposition Democratic Party sharply criticized the prosecution for intensifying the national crisis with Yoon's release and called for the Constitutional Court to officially impeach him in its forthcoming decision.
The top court is anticipated to determine whether to dismiss Yoon from office or reinstate him later this month after concluding hearings on February 25.
