South Korea's President Yoon walks free, but trials continue

Bangkok Post Group

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol walked out of a detention center on Saturday (March 8) after prosecutors decided not to appeal a court decision to cancel the impeached leader's arrest warrant on insurrection charges. - REUTERS

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00:00South Korea's President Yoon Suk-kyo walked free on Saturday after prosecutors decided

00:06not to appeal a court decision to cancel his arrest warrant on insurrection charges.

00:16The impeached leader waved to supporters and bowed as he walked out of a detention center

00:20south of Seoul where he had been held since January 15th.

00:25He remains suspended from his duties and his criminal and impeachment trials continue

00:30over his short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3rd.

00:35The Seoul Central District Court canceled Yoon's arrest warrant on Friday, citing the

00:39timing of his indictment and questions about the legality of the investigation process.

00:45In a statement, Yoon thanked the court for their courage and determination in correcting

00:50the illegality.

00:51The main opposition Democratic Party criticized the prosecutor's decision and urged the constitutional

00:57court to remove Yoon from office as soon as possible.

01:02Prosecutors could not immediately be reached for comment.

01:05Some 55,000 Yoon supporters rallied in Seoul on Saturday, while more than 32,000 demonstrated

01:12against him, the Yonhap News Agency reported, citing unofficial police estimates.

01:18This anti-Yoon protester said his release seemed like something that was outside of

01:22common sense, while this Yoon supporter said she burst into tears when she saw him walk

01:28free.

01:29Still, the public remained largely anti-Yoon.

01:33Sixty percent of respondents to a Gallup Korea poll released on Friday said he should be

01:38removed from office, while 35 percent opposed removing him.

01:42In his impeachment trial, the constitutional court is expected to decide in coming days

01:47whether to reinstate or remove Yoon.

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