South Korea’s Anticorruption Agency Seeks Extension of Impeached President’s Detention
TL/DR –
South Korean investigators will seek a court warrant to extend the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, who refused to answer questions about his brief declaration of martial law. Yoon, who was suspended from office following his impeachment on December 14, is the first acting president to be taken into custody in the history of South Korea. He is being investigated for offenses including insurrection, punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty, though the country has a longstanding moratorium on executions.
Korean agency targets President Yoon Suk-yeol’s extended detention amid impeachment dispute
South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) will request a court order to prolong the detention period of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, who resisted questioning concerning his brief martial law announcement. The proposed extension could last up to 20 days.
The embattled president made history on Wednesday as the first incumbent South Korean president to be arrested, following an early morning raid on his Seoul home.
Seoul Central District Court declined a request from Yoon’s legal team questioning his arrest legality. The arrest came after a prolonged impasse involving investigators and presidential security.
President Yoon, suspended since his December 14 impeachment, faces allegations, including insurrection. He could potentially face life imprisonment or the death penalty, though South Korea typically doesn’t enforce executions.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok stepped in as acting president following the impeachment of both Yoon and his would-be successor Han Duck-soo over their refusal to quickly fill three Constitutional Court vacancies.
President Yoon’s legal team declared his arrest unlawful and stated the president sees no need to participate in questioning. The CIO was informed of his primary position, said Yoon’s lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon.
Despite Yoon’s legal troubles, the conservative leader’s People Power Party (PPP) witnessed a surge in popularity due to deep-seated disagreement over his arrest procedure. According to a recent Gallup Korea poll, the PPP surpassed the main opposition Democratic Party in popularity for the first time since last August.
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