A South Korean court on Friday ordered the release of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, paving the way for him to stand trial on rebellion charges.
Yoon was arrested and indicted in January after briefly imposing martial law late last year. His impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court concluded in February, with a ruling expected soon on whether he will be permanently removed from office or reinstated.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Yoon’s release, citing the expiration of his formal arrest period before his indictment and legal concerns about the investigation. His defense team welcomed the decision and called for his immediate release, while prosecutors have the option to appeal and temporarily detain him.
Yoon’s suspension of civil governance and deployment of security forces to the National Assembly in December sparked national outrage, evoking memories of past military regimes. Although the decree was overturned within six hours, investigators argue it amounted to rebellion, a charge that carries a possible death sentence or life imprisonment.
If the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, he will be officially removed from office, triggering a national election to select his successor within two months. His case has deepened South Korea’s political divide, with mass protests both in support of and against him.
Yoon remains the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested while in office. While presidential immunity protects against most criminal charges, it does not apply to grave offenses like rebellion or treason. Legal experts argue that South Korea was not facing an emergency situation warranting martial law when Yoon declared it.
As the nation awaits the Constitutional Court’s final decision, political tensions continue to rise, shaping the future of South Korea’s leadership.
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