UPDATE - South Korean court rejects 2nd request for extension of President Yoon's detention

UPDATES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; ADDS DETAILS

By Islamuddin Sajid and Saadet Gokce

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan / ISTANBUL (AA) – A South Korean court on Saturday rejected a second request to extend the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The new request was made after a court in the capital Seoul on Friday refused to extend Yoon’s detention, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Prosecutors had requested the court extend his detention until Feb. 6, saying they needed to do additional investigation.

But the court turned them down, citing minimal necessity for the prosecution to supplement the investigation by the anti-corruption agency.

Yoon was formally arrested last Sunday, and by law, a suspect can be held for up to 10 days, with a possible extension of another 10 days.

However, since the court has rejected any move to extend his arrest, Yoon could be released by Monday.

The investigators detained Yoon on Jan. 15 before formally arresting him.

The second request came after the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials on Thursday handed over the martial law probe case to the prosecution.

Yoon is being investigated for leading an insurrection and being the mastermind behind a short-lived Dec. 3 martial law declaration.

He is also accused of abusing his power by sending troops to parliament to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree, which they nevertheless were able to do.

To date he has refused to take part in questioning by prosecutors, as well as the anti-graft body.

The president was impeached by parliament on Dec. 14 and remains suspended from duties pending a Constitutional Court review.

If the impeachment is approved, an early election must be held within two months.

If it is dismissed, Yoon will be reinstated as president.