On Sunday, the local time in South Korea, the court approved the extension of President Yoon Suk-yul’s detention period, citing concerns that the suspect may destroy evidence.
This decision came after the Seoul Western District Court issued a detention order on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of Yoon Suk-yul at the Presidential Palace in Hannam-dong, Seoul by the National Investigation Headquarters for High-ranking Officials. Yoon became the first sitting president in South Korean constitutional history to be arrested.
Following Yoon’s refusal to answer questions from investigators on Friday, the National Investigation Headquarters applied to the Seoul court to extend his detention period.
The prosecution has accused President Yoon Suk-yul of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Long-hyun to declare a state of emergency on the evening of December 3, 2024, with the aim of disrupting constitutional order and inciting riots.
The Seoul Western District Court stated on Sunday that they have approved the new detention order requested by the National Investigation Headquarters.
In a statement, the court explained that the reason for approval was the concern that the suspect might tamper with evidence.
According to the new detention order, President Yoon Suk-yul can be held for a maximum of 20 days. Currently, he is being detained at the Seoul Detention Center.