South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol walked out of the Seoul Detention Centre on Saturday after prosecutors opted not to appeal a court decision that canceled his arrest warrant. Yoon, 64, remains suspended from office while facing ongoing criminal and impeachment trials following his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled on Friday to annul Yoon’s arrest warrant, citing procedural and legal concerns regarding his indictment and the investigation process. “I would like to thank the Central District Court for their courage and determination in correcting the illegality,” Yoon said in a statement following his release.
Dressed in a dark suit without a tie, Yoon appeared relaxed as he greeted a crowd of supporters waving South Korean and U.S. flags. The president’s lawyers hailed the court’s ruling as a major victory, stating that it underscored significant flaws in the legal process that led to his detainment. “This decision confirms that the president’s detention was problematic in both procedural and substantive aspects,” his legal team stated, calling the ruling the “beginning of a journey to restore the rule of law.”
Despite his release, Yoon’s future remains uncertain. The Constitutional Court is expected to decide soon whether to reinstate him or permanently remove him from office. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have condemned the prosecutors’ decision, arguing it has worsened the political crisis in South Korea. The Democratic Party urged the court to act swiftly in removing Yoon from power.
Public opinion remains largely against the embattled leader. According to a Gallup Korea poll conducted on Friday, 60% of respondents supported Yoon’s removal, while 35% were opposed. On Saturday, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Seoul. Around 55,000 of Yoon’s supporters rallied in his favor, while 32,500 protesters gathered near the Constitutional Court, demanding his ouster.
Yoon, the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, was detained at the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, about 22 km south of Seoul, since January 15. His political fate now hinges on the impending verdict of the Constitutional Court, which could determine South Korea’s leadership trajectory in the coming days.
