In a dramatic turn of events, South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol walked out of prison on Saturday, just a day after a court overturned his arrest. The court’s decision allows him to face his upcoming trial for rebellion without being held in custody.
As he left prison, Yoon was met by cheering supporters waving South Korean and U.S. flags. He smiled, waved, and bowed deeply before getting into a black van bound for his presidential residence in Seoul. In a statement released through his lawyers, Yoon thanked the court for its “courage” in correcting what he called an illegal arrest. He also urged his supporters who had been on hunger strike to end their protest.
Yoon’s troubles began in December when he declared martial law, a move that caused massive political unrest. His decree led to the deployment of hundreds of soldiers and police officers to the National Assembly, where lawmakers were set to vote on the measure. Despite the military presence, legislators managed to gather and overwhelmingly overturned his decision. Soon after, the National Assembly, controlled by the liberal opposition Democratic Party, impeached him, suspending him from office.
The court ruled that Yoon’s arrest had procedural issues, including an expired formal detention period and questions about the investigating agency’s legal authority. Prosecutors chose not to challenge the court’s decision, paving the way for his release.
Not everyone was happy with this outcome. The Democratic Party called the prosecutors “henchmen” of Yoon and urged the Constitutional Court to remove him from office swiftly to prevent further public unrest.
At the center of the controversy is Yoon’s martial law decree. He sent troops and police to the National Assembly with orders, some officials claim, to physically remove lawmakers and stop them from voting. Yoon defends his actions, saying he was trying to maintain order and prevent what he described as the Democratic Party’s obstruction of his agenda.
If Yoon is convicted of rebellion, he could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Although South Korean presidents typically enjoy immunity from most criminal charges while in office, that protection doesn’t apply to serious accusations like treason or rebellion.
As the Constitutional Court deliberates on whether to formally remove Yoon from office or reinstate him, South Korea remains deeply divided. Supporters and critics have taken to the streets, and tensions are running high. Whatever the court decides, it’s clear that the nation’s political rift is only growing wider.
