An effigy of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is seen in a mock prison as protesters take part in a rally calling for Yoon's ouster in front of the Gwanghwamun Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on December 21, 2024. Jung Yeon-je, AFP/File

An effigy of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is seen in a mock prison as protesters take part in a rally calling for Yoon's ouster in front of the Gwanghwamun Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on December 21, 2024. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

SOUTH KOREA

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737182572247AFP__20241221__36R29WN__v1__Preview__SkoreaPoliticsUnrest.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="An effigy of South Korea&#x27;s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is seen in a mock prison as protesters take part in a rally calling for Yoon&#x27;s ouster in front of the Gwanghwamun Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on December 21, 2024. Jung Yeon-je, AFP/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">An effigy of South Korea&#x27;s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is seen in a mock prison as protesters take part in a rally calling for Yoon&#x27;s ouster in front of the Gwanghwamun Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on December 21, 2024. <em>Jung Yeon-je, AFP/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>SEOUL, South Korea -- Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived at court for the first time Saturday to attend a hearing that will decide whether to extend his detention as investigators probe his failed martial law bid.</p><p>Yoon, who has claimed his arrest is illegal, threw the nation into chaos on December 3 when he attempted to suspend civilian rule, citing the need to combat threats from &quot;anti-state elements&quot;.</p><p>Yoon&#x27;s die-hard supporters gathered outside the court building Saturday, even trying to surround the blue van carrying the suspended leader, AFP reporters saw.</p><p>Yoon&#x27;s martial law bid lasted just six hours, with lawmakers voting it down despite the president ordering soldiers to storm parliament to stop them.</p><p>Yoon was subsequently impeached by parliament and resisted arrest for weeks, holed up in his guarded residence until he was finally detained Wednesday in a dawn raid.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/1/14/clashes-as-s-korean-investigators-attempt-to-arrest-president-yoon-0609">READ: South Korean President Yoon arrested over failed martial law bid</a></div><p>South Korea&#x27;s first sitting president to be detained, Yoon has refused to cooperate during the initial 48 hours detectives were allowed to hold him.</p><p>But the disgraced president remains in custody after investigators requested a new warrant Friday to extend his detention.</p><p>A judge at Seoul Western District Court was set to review the request at a 2:00 pm (0500 GMT) hearing, with her decision expected Saturday night or early Sunday.</p><p>Before the hearing, Yoon&#x27;s lawyer Yoon Kab-keun told AFP the president would attend &quot;with the intention of restoring his honour&quot;.</p><p>If approved, the new warrant would likely extend Yoon&#x27;s detention by 20 days, giving prosecutors time to formalise an indictment.</p><p>The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) is probing Yoon for insurrection, a charge that could see him jailed for life or executed if found guilty.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/1/15/south-korea-s-six-weeks-of-political-chaos-1121">READ: South Korea&#x27;s six weeks of political chaos</a></div><div><strong>- Detention silence -</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABTNy6X6hUC96n65&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script><p>Yoon said Wednesday he had agreed to leave his compound to avoid &quot;bloodshed&quot;, but that he did not accept the legality of the investigation.</p><p>His supporters have gathered in front of the court since Friday, holding South Korean and American flags and demanding judges dismiss the request to extend the president&#x27;s detention.</p><p>The court closed its entrance to the public Friday evening, citing safety concerns.</p><p>Yoon has refused to answer investigators&#x27; questions, with his legal team saying the president explained his position when detained on Wednesday.</p><p>The president has also been absent from a parallel probe at the Constitutional Court, which is mulling whether to uphold his impeachment.</p><p>If the court rules against Yoon, he will lose the presidency and elections will be called within 60 days.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/1/17/south-korea-s-yoon-refuses-questioning-again-1641">READ: South Korea&#x27;s Yoon refuses questioning again</a></div><p>He did not attend the first two hearings this week, but the trial, which could last months, will continue in his absence.</p><p>Although Yoon won the presidential election in 2022, the opposition Democratic Party has a majority in parliament after winning legislative polls last year.</p><p>The Democratic Party has celebrated the president&#x27;s arrest, with a top official calling it &quot;the first step&quot; to restoring constitutional and legal order.</p><p>As challenges against the embattled leader mount, parliament passed a bill late Friday to launch a special counsel probe into Yoon over his failed martial law bid.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived at court for the first time Saturday to attend a hearing that will decide whether to extend his detention as investigators probe his failed martial law bid.</p>

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived at court for the first time Saturday to attend a hearing that will decide whether to extend his detention as investigators probe his failed martial law bid.

Impeached South Korean president arrives for arrest warrant hearing | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

Traffic

Horoscope

World

Impeached South Korean president arrives for arrest warrant hearing

Impeached South Korean president arrives for arrest warrant hearing

Agence France-Presse,

Claire Lee

Published Jan 18, 2025 03:09 PM PHT

Read More:

absnews

South Korea

Yoon Suk Yeol

impeachment

martial law

Seoul

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.