South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from a detention center in Seoul on Saturday after prosecutors chose not to challenge a court decision nullifying his arrest warrant on insurrection charges
Despite his release, Yoon remains suspended from office, with both his criminal and impeachment trials proceeding in connection with his brief imposition of martial law on December 3.
The Seoul Central District Court revoked his arrest warrant on Friday, questioning the legality of the investigation and the timing of his indictment.
“I sincerely appreciate the Central District Court for its courage and commitment to rectifying an unlawful situation,” Yoon stated following the ruling.
His legal team hailed the decision, asserting that it underscored procedural and substantive flaws in the president’s detainment. They described the ruling as the first step toward restoring the rule of law.
Prosecutors have not yet commented on the court’s ruling.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is set to rule in the coming days on whether Yoon will be reinstated or officially removed from office.
Yoon, who was taken into custody on January 15, is the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested while in office.
On Saturday, approximately 38,000 of his supporters gathered in Seoul, while around 1,500 demonstrators protested against him, according to unofficial police estimates.
