A South Korean court has cancelled President Yoon Suk Yeol’s detention warrant, allowing him potential release from custody. The Seoul central district court accepted Yoon’s petition to cancel his custody in a ruling on Friday, although the president still faces serious criminal charges that could result in life imprisonment or death if convicted.
Yoon has been held since mid-January on charges of leading an insurrection relating to his failed attempt to impose martial law in December. The court ruled that prosecutors had indicted Yoon after his 10-day detention limit had expired, citing procedural errors including improper division of the detention period between investigators and prosecutors.
Despite the court’s decision, President Yoon will not be released immediately. His lawyer said he would remain in detention while prosecutors decide whether to appeal against the ruling within their seven-day window. The justice ministry is also waiting for the prosecution’s decision on whether to issue release orders.
The ruling Democratic party expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision and urged prosecutors to appeal against the ruling, stating that Yoon’s actions “gravely violated the law and constitution”.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/07/president-yoon-suk-yeol-detention-cancelled-insurrection-case