Seoul court upholds detention of impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol amid martial law probe

A Seoul court has rejected a petition challenging the detention of impeached President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, who remains in custody as part of an ongoing investigation into his controversial martial law declaration.

The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court on January 15 came one day after Yoon’s legal team filed a petition questioning the legality of his detention, Caliber.Az reports via South Korean media.

Yoon was detained for questioning on January 16 after he failed to respond to three summonses in relation to his December 3 martial law declaration. The court’s decision followed claims by Yoon’s defence that the detention warrant issued by the Seoul Western District Court was invalid.

Yoon’s lawyers had argued that the case should have been handled by the Seoul Central District Court, where they believe the prosecutors plan to eventually bring the case.

Furthermore, Yoon’s side disputed the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO)'s involvement in the case, asserting that the office lacks jurisdiction over matters concerning a sitting president. The CIO countered that the issuance of two detention warrants confirmed its authority in the investigation.

While the court considered the petition, Yoon’s 48-hour detention was temporarily paused after investigators submitted evidence to the court at approximately 2 p.m. The detention period will remain suspended until the documents are returned to investigators.

Yoon did not attend the closed-door hearing, citing security concerns, and was instead represented by his lawyers.

To recap, Yoon, who was apprehended at his residence and transported to the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) in Gwacheon on January 15, spent the night in detention following over 10 hours of questioning. The investigation is centred on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, related to his decision to declare martial law on December 3.

Despite the extensive questioning, Yoon reportedly declined to answer any questions, as confirmed by the CIO. His legal team has since filed a petition challenging the legality of the detention warrant, disputing the grounds for his arrest. 

Yoon Suk Yeol, the impeached former president of South Korea, faces a high-profile investigation over his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024.

By Aghakazim Guliyev