Seoul, January 25 (IANS) – South Korean prosecutors have filed a renewed request to extend the detention of President Yoon Suk Yeol as part of an ongoing investigation into his alleged role in a failed martial law attempt. This comes after a Seoul court rejected an earlier request the previous day.
The special prosecution team investigating the case submitted the new request to the Seoul Central District Court, seeking an extension of Yoon’s detention until February 6. This move follows the transfer of the case from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to the prosecution, as the CIO lacks the legal authority to indict a sitting president.
In their filing, prosecutors highlighted that supplementary investigations, including raids, are often conducted in CIO-transferred cases, which justifies their request for an extended detention period. “In light of past cases and the regulations of the Criminal Procedure Act, prosecutors’ right to a supplementary probe is naturally recognised,” they stated.
On January 24, the Seoul Central District Court rejected the initial request, citing insufficient grounds for continuing the detention. The court noted that the CIO had already investigated the case and referred it to the prosecution with an indictment recommendation, making further detention difficult to justify.
Yoon faces serious allegations related to the December 3 martial law declaration, which has sparked political unrest. He is accused of conspiring with then-Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to initiate a riot by imposing martial law and using military force to prevent the National Assembly from voting against the decree. The ongoing investigation has intensified political turmoil in the country.
Currently, Yoon remains detained at the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, located south of the capital, while a Constitutional Court trial is underway to decide the fate of his impeachment. Should the court uphold the impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office, triggering a snap presidential election within 60 days. If the impeachment is dismissed, Yoon will be reinstated.
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