South Korean court issues new detention warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) — A South Korean court on Friday issued a new detention warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, extending his custody by six months over charges linked to a failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, local media reported.

The Seoul Central District Court has issued the warrant to keep Yoon in detention as he faces additional charges, including benefiting the enemy, abuse of power, and obstructing others from exercising their rights, according to KBS World.

The court accepted the prosecutors’ argument that Yoon could destroy evidence if released.

Yoon was arrested and indicted in January last year on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting president in South Korea to be taken into custody. He was released in March, rearrested in July, and has remained detained since then. His previous detention period was set to expire on Jan. 18.

The former president was formally removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April last year.

Yoon is also standing trial in multiple cases related to the failed martial law bid, including separate insurrection charges.

Last week, prosecutors sought a 10-year prison sentence for Yoon over obstruction of justice and other offenses tied to his 2024 attempt to impose martial law.