The South Korean court has decided to release President Yoon Suk Yeol after his brief martial law declaration was impeached and arrested in December, local broadcasters reported Friday.
Yoon seeks release after his arrest in late January, making him the country’s first detained president. Later, he was prosecuted for violating martial law orders in early December.
South Korea’s martial law rulings have created a leadership vacuum as the country faces increasing threats from North Korea and tariffs from President Donald Trump.
Yoon’s lawyers said that because the arrest warrant was issued by wrong jurisdiction, prosecutors issued the arrest warrant, his arrest was illegal and invalid, and prosecutors prosecuted the expiration date of his arrest. Prosecutors rejected the claims and said they followed the procedures they deserved.
The decision comes as the Constitutional Court considered separately whether to permanently remove Yoon during his impeachment trial. The court held a final hearing on February 25, and a decision is expected to be made within weeks.
