South Korea’s Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol Released After Court Voids Arrest

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol walked free on Saturday after a court annulled his detention on procedural grounds, though he remains under investigation for declaring martial law.

Yoon was arrested in January on insurrection charges following his controversial December 3 decision to suspend civilian rule. Emerging from detention, he bowed before a cheering crowd and expressed gratitude to the nation in a statement issued through his legal team.

A court ruling on Friday dismissed his arrest due to technical irregularities, a decision criticized by prosecutors as “unjust.” While they had the option to appeal, they opted instead to focus on arguing their case in the trial court.

Despite his release, Yoon’s political future remains uncertain. The Constitutional Court is set to rule on whether to uphold his impeachment, which could permanently remove him from office. If that happens, South Korea must hold a new presidential election within 60 days.

His legal team welcomed the decision, calling it a “victory for the rule of law.” Yoon immediately returned to the presidential residence, where hundreds of supporters gathered to celebrate his release.

Opposition leaders strongly condemned the court’s decision. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung pledged to “continue the fight until the insurrection is completely overturned.” Critics argue Yoon’s martial law declaration was unconstitutional, accusing him of attempting to seize power unlawfully.

The crisis erupted in December when Yoon deployed soldiers to parliament in a dramatic move that lawmakers swiftly overturned before voting to impeach him. His standoff with investigators lasted two weeks before he was finally taken into custody on January 15.

With the Constitutional Court’s ruling expected soon, the legal and political battle over Yoon’s fate is far from over.