South Korea extends detention of former president

A Seoul court on January 2 issued a warrant to detain former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over allegations related to the deployment of drones toward North Korea in October last year, according to a special counsel team.

The Seoul Central District Court approved the warrant, citing concerns over potential destruction of evidence, the special counsel led by Cho Eun-suk said. The decision allows investigators to extend Yoon’s detention by up to six months beyond its previous expiration date of January 18, Caliber.Az reports via Korean media. 

Prosecutors allege that the drone operation was intended to provoke a response from North Korea that could be used to justify the declaration of martial law in December 2024. The special counsel team has accused Yoon of ordering the drone deployment without reporting it to the defence ministry or the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Yoon has been arrested three times in connection with separate investigations. He was first detained in January last year on charges of leading an insurrection but was released in March after a court approved his request to cancel the arrest.

He was arrested again in July over allegations linked to his martial law declaration, including claims that only a limited number of Cabinet members were consulted ahead of the decree on December 3 and that he obstructed investigators attempting to execute an arrest warrant.

Yoon has denied wrongdoing. Further legal proceedings are ongoing.

By Sabina Mammadli