Seoul, South Korea – On Saturday, March 8, 2025, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol walked free from a detention center in Seoul after prosecutors opted not to appeal a court decision that overturned his arrest warrant. The impeached leader had been detained on charges of insurrection tied to his controversial imposition of martial law on December 3, 2024, a move that lasted mere hours but sparked widespread political turmoil. While Yoon is no longer in custody, he remains suspended from his presidential duties as both criminal and impeachment proceedings against him press forward.
The Seoul Central District Court’s ruling on Friday to cancel Yoon’s arrest warrant hinged on concerns over the timing of his indictment and doubts about the legality of the investigation process. Yoon, who became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested when he was taken into custody on January 15, hailed the decision as a step toward justice. “First of all, I would like to thank the Central District Court for their courage and determination in correcting the illegality,” Yoon said in a statement released shortly after his release.
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His legal team echoed this sentiment, arguing that the court’s decision exposed flaws in both the procedural and substantive elements of his detainment. “This ruling confirms that the president’s detention was problematic,” his lawyers stated, framing the outcome as “the beginning of a journey to restore rule of law” in South Korea. Prosecutors, who had spearheaded the case against Yoon, were unavailable for immediate comment.
The next chapter of Yoon’s political fate now lies with the Constitutional Court, which is expected to rule in the coming days on his impeachment trial. The court’s decision will determine whether Yoon is reinstated as president or permanently removed from office, a verdict that could further polarize an already divided nation.
Public reaction to Yoon’s release was swift and starkly divided. According to Yonhap news agency, unofficial police estimates reported that approximately 38,000 supporters gathered in Seoul on Saturday to rally in favor of the embattled president. In contrast, about 1,500 demonstrators took to the streets to protest against him, underscoring the deep societal rift his leadership has engendered.
Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law late last year, which he claimed was necessary to address national security threats, ignited a firestorm of criticism and led to his impeachment by the opposition-led National Assembly. As legal proceedings unfold, the nation watches closely to see whether Yoon can reclaim his presidency or if his tenure will end in historic disgrace. For now, his release marks a temporary reprieve in a saga that continues to grip South Korea.
Key Points:
- Release from Detention: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from a detention center in Seoul on Saturday, March 8, 2025, after prosecutors decided not to appeal a court ruling that canceled his arrest warrant.
- Court Decision: The Seoul Central District Court overturned Yoon’s arrest warrant on Friday, citing issues with the timing of his indictment and questions about the legality of the investigation process.
- Ongoing Legal Battles: Yoon remains suspended from his presidential duties as he faces both a criminal trial and an impeachment trial over his brief imposition of martial law on December 3, 2024.
- Yoon’s Reaction: Yoon thanked the court for its “courage and determination” in addressing what he called an illegal detainment, while his lawyers described the ruling as a step toward restoring the rule of law.
- Impeachment Trial: The Constitutional Court is set to decide in the coming days whether to reinstate Yoon as president or remove him from office permanently.
- Historical Context: Yoon is the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, with his detention beginning on January 15, 2025.
- Public Response: On Saturday, around 38,000 Yoon supporters rallied in Seoul, while approximately 1,500 people protested against him, highlighting the country’s deep divisions.
- Martial Law Controversy: The charges stem from Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration, which he justified as a national security measure but which triggered his impeachment by the opposition-led National Assembly.
