Impeached South Korean President Freed From Detention

TaiwanPlus News

Impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has been released from detention, after the Seoul Central District Court found issues with the timing of his arrest and indictment in January, and declared his detention invalid. Prosecutors chose not to appeal the decision. Yoon still faces insurrection charges for declaring martial law last December.

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00:00Walking free, impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-kyo leaves detention after more than

00:0750 days.

00:08He was being held on charges of leading an insurrection after a short-lived attempt to

00:13impose martial law.

00:19But the Seoul Central District Court found issues with the timing of his arrest and indictment

00:23in January and declared his detention illegal.

00:26Prosecutors aren't challenging the decision.

00:28In a Facebook post, Yoon thanked the court for its courage and determination, as well

00:33as his supporters, who've been holding rallies throughout Seoul since he was arrested.

00:41And on the day of his release, some gathered to greet him.

01:04But Yoon's still facing insurrection charges, part of an ongoing criminal trial.

01:09Yoon declared martial law in December last year, sending troops to the legislature and

01:14leaving many in South Korea horrified.

01:17The order was reversed by lawmakers within hours, but it created political turmoil and

01:21division, setting off months of protests from both opponents and supporters of Yoon.

01:26And it led lawmakers to vote for his impeachment.

01:29The decision on whether to remove him from office now rests with the country's constitutional

01:33court.

01:36For now, Yoon's release simply means he can wait out his criminal and impeachment trials

01:40from home, the embattled leader's legal and political fate still all but certain.

01:46Howard Jang and Keynes Karanta for Talon Plus.

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