In a dramatic turn of events, South Korean prosecutors are steadfast in their pursuit of President Yoon Suk Yeol's conviction for insurrection, despite a recent court ruling that ordered his release from prison. The head of the prosecutors' office, Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung, expressed respect for the court's decision but voiced disagreement with its assessment that the indictment filing exceeded the legally allowed time frame.
Shim stated, "I've directed that the prosecution makes arguments on various disputes during trial, and we'll do everything we can to pursue this indictment," emphasizing the prosecutors' commitment to the case. This stance comes even as the court declared Yoon's detention during the trial illegal.
President Yoon has been under criminal trial since February 20, facing allegations of leading an insurrection by declaring martial law on December 3 last year. Notably, he lifted the martial law decree after approximately six hours, a move that has been scrutinized by both legal experts and the public.
Yoon's legal team has challenged his detention, arguing that the case is politically motivated and lacks legal justification. Their motion to cancel his detention received backing from the court's recent ruling, which led to Yoon walking out of the detention center on Saturday, just shy of two months after his arrest.
The political landscape remains tense as Yoon was impeached by parliament and is currently suspended from power. The upcoming decision by the Constitutional Court will determine his fate, with the potential to either reinstate him or remove him from office permanently. Should Yoon be removed, a new presidential election is slated to take place within 60 days, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to South Korea's political future.
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S. Korea prosecutors to pursue Yoon's conviction despite jail release
cgtn.com
