Rejecting Extended Detention, South Korean President Yoon Attends Court Trial

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol who was impeached by parliament/PHOTO via Instagram @sukyeol.yoon

JAKARTA - The South Korean president who was impeached by Yoon Suk Yeol attended a court hearing on Saturday (18/1) to reject a request by investigators to extend his detention on charges of rebellion.

Yoon on Wednesday became the country's first president to be arrested in a criminal investigation linked to a military emergency declaration on December 3.

Investigators requested a warrant to extend Yoon's detention for up to 20 days. President Yoon reportedly refused to speak to investigators and has been detained at the Seoul Detention Center since his arrest.

Reported by Reuters on Saturday, January 18, police were seen dispersing a crowd of Yoon supporters blocking the gates of the West Seoul District Court, where the trial began at around 14.00.

TV channels showed a convoy of dozens of cars and police motorbikes escorting Yoon from the detention center to the court.

"He decided to attend to return his honor by explaining directly the legality of martial law and the rebellion was not carried out," said Yoon's lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun.

The rebellion, the crimes alleged against Yoon by the High Official Corruption Investigation Office, is one of the few crimes that are not immune to the incumbent president of South Korea.

The detention warrant trial usually lasts about two hours in South Korea but can last eight to 10 hours if the debate heats up.