Seoul: Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from prison on Saturday, following a court ruling that allowed him to stand impeachment and criminal trials without detention over his failed attempt to impose martial law in December.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon was freed from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, located just south of the capital, 52 days after being detained on charges of inciting an insurrection. His release was made possible after Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung decided not to appeal the court's decision.
Yoon quickly returned to his official residence in central Seoul, taking less than 30 minutes to arrive. In a statement, he expressed gratitude, saying, "I appreciate the court's courage and determination in correcting the illegality." This release means Yoon will be able to stand trial without physical detention.
The court's decision was based on their determination that Yoon's January 26 indictment on insurrection charges, which allowed for his detention extension, was issued after the initial detention period had expired. The 10-day initial detention period excluded the time taken to send documents to a court for a warrant review, setting the deadline for Yoon's detention around 9 a.m. on January 26, whereas the indictment occurred shortly before 7 p.m. the same day.
The ruling People Power Party welcomed the court's decision and called upon the Constitutional Court to consider it during the impeachment trial. Party spokesperson Shin Dong-wook stated, "It is a just decision and the party hopes it serves as an opportunity to correct the distorted rule of law."
On the other hand, the main opposition Democratic Party criticized the prosecution for worsening the nation's crisis with Yoon's release and urged the Constitutional Court to formally impeach him in its forthcoming decision.