A South Korean court on Friday annulled an arrest warrant against impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, opening the possibility for his release from jail.
However, prosecutors may appeal the decision, delaying his release.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Yoon had been indicted after his initial detention period expired, raising legal concerns over the investigation process.
The court stated that canceling the detention was necessary to ensure procedural clarity and uphold legal integrity.
Yoon was arrested in January on charges of fomenting insurrection after briefly imposing martial law on December 3.
The sight of armed soldiers attempting to storm parliament revived memories of South Korea’s authoritarian past. If convicted, Yoon could face a life sentence or the death penalty.
Following his impeachment in December, Yoon resisted arrest for two weeks at the presidential compound in Seoul, leading to a tense standoff between prosecutors and presidential security forces.
Friday’s ruling means Yoon could stand trial without being physically detained. Meanwhile, he also awaits a verdict in his impeachment trial.
The Constitutional Court is expected to rule soon on whether to uphold his removal from office, which would trigger a national election within two months.
South Korea’s opposition party clarified that the court’s decision on Yoon’s detention was independent of the impeachment proceedings.
Yoon, however, has remained defiant, defending his imposition of martial law as a measure against perceived threats to national security.
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