Seoul: A court hearing concerning the potential arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol concluded on Saturday after a marathon five-hour session at the Seoul Western District Court. The proceedings, which started at 2 p.m., ended at 6:50 p.m., with Yoon present throughout the duration. Following the hearing, Yoon returned to the detention center where he has been held since Wednesday, as he awaits the court's decision on his arrest.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon's lawyer, Yun Gap-geun, informed reporters outside the court that the president had thoroughly explained and responded to the various facts, evidence, and legal issues presented during the hearing. "We will wait quietly until the court's decision comes out," Yun stated. The court is anticipated to make a decision on the arrest warrant late Saturday or early Sunday.
During the hearing, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) prosecutors laid out their case for Yoon's arrest. In response, Yoon's legal team presented counterarguments through PowerPoint presentations. Yoon also addressed the court directly, speaking for 40 minutes, and delivered a final five-minute statement before the hearing's conclusion.
President Yoon was apprehended on Wednesday at his residence, charged with masterminding an insurrection and abuse of power, marking him as the first sitting South Korean president to be detained. He was transported to the court from a detention center in Uiwang, escorted by police and the Presidential Security Service. Despite bypassing the media photo area, Yoon's arrival was met by thousands of supporters demonstrating nearby.
Yoon decided to attend the hearing to clarify the legitimacy of his martial law imposition and to attempt to restore his reputation. His lawyer, Yun, conveyed this intent in a message to reporters. Yoon has consistently refused to partake in questioning related to his martial law declaration, which was initially enacted on December 3 but was swiftly lifted by lawmakers after several hours.
Yoon's legal team argues that the martial law bid was an act of governance, intended to address a national crisis stemming from opposition-led impeachments and legislative deadlock. They claim it should not be subjected to court judgment. Yoon's presidential powers were suspended following the assembly's vote to impeach him on December 14.
Attempts by Yoon's legal team to challenge the detention warrant issued by the Western District Court were dismissed by the Seoul Central District Court, resulting in Yoon's continued detention. The legal team contends that the CIO lacks the authority to investigate insurrection charges and disputes the western court's jurisdiction over the case.
If the warrant is issued, Yoon will be the first sitting president in South Korea's constitutional history to be formally arrested, allowing investigators an extended 20-day detention period to prepare an indictment. However, if the warrant is rejected, Yoon will be released, potentially strengthening his assertion that the investigations are baseless.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is deliberating on whether to uphold the parliament's decision to impeach Yoon or to reinstate him to office.