South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol Stocks Surge as Court Cancels Arrest Warrant
1min read South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is set to be released from detention following a court decision that canceled his arrest warrant. The Seoul Central District Court accepted Yoon's request for release, citing that the legal period for his formal arrest had expired before his indictment in late January. This decision allows Yoon to stand trial for his criminal charges without being physically detained.
The court's ruling comes more than a month after Yoon was arrested and indicted over his brief imposition of martial law. The martial law decree, which involved deploying troops to the National Assembly, was overturned within six hours after lawmakers voted unanimously to reject it. Yoon had argued that his decree was intended to inform the public about the perceived dangers posed by the main liberal opposition party, which he accused of undermining his agenda and impeaching top officials.
Yoon's release does not affect the insurrection charges he faces for declaring martial law. If convicted of rebellion, he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment. The hearings in his impeachment trial concluded in late February, and the court is expected to rule soon on whether to uphold his impeachment or remove him from office. If the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon's impeachment, he will be officially removed from office, and a national election will be held to choose his successor within two months.
Prosecutors have seven days to appeal the court's decision, but they have indicated that they will not challenge the ruling. Yoon's lawyers stated that he will not be released immediately, as prosecutors have the option to appeal within the given timeframe. The detention center expects to release Yoon by the end of the day after receiving the necessary documents from the court.