A South Korean court extended the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol early Sunday, granting prosecutors additional time to prepare a formal indictment on insurrection charges. Yoon, who is accused of declaring martial law and attempting to suspend civilian rule, faces the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.
The Seoul Western District Court’s decision allows authorities to hold Yoon for up to 20 days, including the time served since his arrest on Wednesday. Investigators had sought the extension to delve deeper into his alleged actions, including his order for soldiers to storm parliament on December 3. The martial law declaration, which lawmakers swiftly overturned within six hours, triggered Yoon’s impeachment and subsequent detention.
Tens of thousands of Yoon’s supporters rallied outside the court on Saturday, clashing with police and chanting slogans in support of the embattled leader. Yonhap reported that as many as 44,000 people gathered, with 40 protesters arrested for assaulting police officers, attacking media personnel, or attempting to breach the court premises.
Following the hearing, Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, stated that the former president had “explained and answered faithfully regarding the facts, evidence, and legal issues.”
The chaotic scenes around the court mirrored the political turmoil that has gripped South Korea since Yoon’s controversial martial law attempt, which analysts have described as one of the nation’s worst political crises in decades.
Yoon was initially detained in a dawn raid after evading investigators’ summons and using his presidential security detail to resist arrest. The first sitting South Korean president to be detained, he refused to cooperate during the initial 48-hour detention period.
After Saturday’s hearing, Yoon was transported back to the Seoul Detention Center in a justice ministry van, escorted by his security detail. Meanwhile, vehicles belonging to the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which is leading the probe, were attacked by protesters. The CIO condemned the incidents, stating it would seek strict punishments for those involved.
The extended detention underscores the gravity of the allegations against Yoon, as investigators build their case around one of the most dramatic and divisive episodes in South Korean political history.
