A South Korean court had on Friday dismissed a request from prosecutors to extend the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces a criminal investigation into his short-lived declaration of martial law on December 3, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Yoon, impeached and suspended from office on December 14, has been in custody since last week as investigators examine his controversial attempt to impose martial law—a decision that was immediately overturned by parliament.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) had urged prosecutors to indict Yoon on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
President Yoon’s detention was set to expire on January 28, and prosecutors had planned to request a 10-day extension to prepare formal charges. However, the Seoul Central District Court declined their request.
Neither the prosecutors’ office nor the court provided immediate comments on the decision.
