South Korean court orders release of suspended president Yoon Suk-yeol

A South Korean court cancelled on Friday suspended president Yoon Suk-yeol’s arrest warrant, paving the way for his release from jail after he was arrested in mid-January on insurrection charges over his brief imposition of martial law, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Yoon’s lawyers had argued the warrant issued on January 19 that has kept him in detention was invalid because the request filed by prosecutors was procedurally flawed.

“It is reasonable to conclude that the indictment was filed after the defendant’s detention period had expired,” said a document from the Seoul Central District Court.

“To ensure procedural clarity and eliminate any doubts regarding the legality of the investigative process, it would be appropriate to issue a decision to cancel the detention,” the court added.

The decision comes as the Constitutional Court separately mulls whether to remove Yoon from office permanently in his impeachment trial. The court held its final hearing on February 25 and is expected to reach a decision within weeks if not days.

“South Korea’s rule of law is still alive,” Yoon’s legal counsel said, according to broadcaster YTN.