By SEOUL, South Korea — A South Korean court ruled Friday that the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was unjustified, paving the way for his release from custody even as he faces trial on insurrection charges over his failed attempt to declare martial law.
Yoon, 64, will not be released immediately, his lawyers said, as prosecutors have seven days to appeal the ruling. The prosecutors’ office did not immediately comment.
Yoon has been in custody since his arrest Jan. 15, when he became the first sitting president of South Korea to be detained on criminal charges. A previous effort to arrest him failed after an hourslong standoff at Yoon’s official residence in Seoul between his security service and authorities.
South Korea, one of the most vibrant democracies in Asia and a key U.S. ally, has been in political turmoil since Dec. 3 when Yoon, citing “anti-state forces,” declared martial law before rescinding the order six hours later after lawmakers voted to reject it.
Lawyers for Yoon have been pressing for his release, arguing that a second arrest warrant seeking to extend his detention after an initial period of 48 hours was illegal due to procedural issues.
The Seoul Central District Court said it was canceling that Jan. 19 warrant because it was filed after the expiration of the 48-hour period. It also cited legal issues with the investigation, which involves two separate agencies.
Suk Dong-hyun, a lawyer for Yoon, said the ruling “affirms that the rule of law is still alive in this country.”
