DeKalb GA News

A South Korean court has ordered the release of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from jail, sparking controversy over his future. The decision by a District Court could allow Yoon to stand trial for alleged rebellion while remaining free.

The liberal opposition, which some view as having orchestrated a coup against Yoon, is attempting to keep him incarcerated. According to the Associated Press, "Yoon was arrested and indicted in January over the Dec. 3 martial law decree that plunged the country into political turmoil. The opposition-controlled parliament separately voted to impeach him, leading to his suspension from office."

The Constitutional Court recently concluded hearings on Yoon's impeachment trial and is expected to decide soon whether he will be formally removed or reinstated.

The Seoul Central District Court accepted Yoon’s request for release, citing that his legal arrest period expired before indictment. The court also noted questions about the legality of investigations against him. Yoon’s lawyers claim the agency that detained him lacked authority to investigate rebellion charges.

If convicted of rebellion linked to his martial law decree, Yoon faces severe penalties, including death or life imprisonment. His defense team has called for immediate release, while the Democratic Party urges prosecutors to appeal the ruling.

Korean prosecutors can detain a suspect during an appeal against a court's suspension of arrest. "Yoon’s martial law decree... evoked traumatic memories of past military rules among many South Koreans," with troops dispatched for only six hours before lawmakers overturned it unanimously.