A South Korean court will weigh Saturday whether to extend the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, after investigators arrested him over a failed martial law bid.
Yoon, who is expected to attend the hearing, threw the nation into chaos on December 3 when he attempted to suspend civilian rule, citing the need to combat threats from "anti-state elements".
Soldiers the president directed to storm parliament failed to stop lawmakers from voting down martial law just six hours after his shock announcement.
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.
South Korea's first sitting president to be detained, Yoon has refused to cooperate during the initial 48 hours detectives were allowed to hold him.
But the disgraced president remains in custody after investigators requested a new warrant Friday to extend his detention.
A judge at Seoul Western District Court is set to review the request at a 2:00 pm (0500 GMT) hearing, with her decision expected Saturday night or early Sunday.
Yoon's lawyer Yoon Kab-keun told AFP the president would attend the hearing "with the intention of restoring his honour".
If approved, the new warrant will likely extend Yoon's detention by 20 days, giving prosecutors time to formalise an indictment.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) is probing Yoon for insurrection, a charge that could see him jailed for life or executed if found guilty.
<h2>Detention silence</h2>
Yoon said Wednesday he had agreed to leave his compound to avoid "bloodshed", but that he did not accept the legality of the investigation.
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's detention.
The court closed its entrance on Friday evening to the public, citing safety concerns.
Yoon has refused to answer investigators' questions, with his legal team saying the president explained his position when detained on Wednesday.
The president has also been absent from a parallel probe at the Constitutional Court, which is mulling whether to uphold his impeachment.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-trial-of-suspended-south-korean-president-yoon-suk-yeol-to-begin-8619809">Impeachment trial of suspended South Korean President Yoon to begin</a>
If the court rules against Yoon, he will lose the presidency and elections will be called within 60 days.
He did not attend the first two hearings this week, but the trial, which could last months, will continue in his absence.
Although Yoon won the presidential election in 2022, the opposition Democratic Party has a majority in parliament after winning legislative polls last year.
The Democratic Party has celebrated the president's arrest, with a top official calling it "the first step" to restoring constitutional and legal order.
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.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.
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World | South Korea's first sitting president to be detained, Yoon has refused to cooperate during the initial 48 hours detectives were allowed to hold him.

A South Korean court will weigh Saturday whether to extend the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, after investigators arrested him over a failed martial law bid. Yoon, who is expected to attend the hearing, threw the nation into chaos on December 3 when he attempted to suspend civilian rule, citing the need to combat threats from "anti-state elements". Soldiers the president directed to storm parliament failed to stop lawmakers from voting down martial law just six hours after his shock announcement. 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. South Korea's first sitting president to be detained, Yoon has refused to cooperate during the initial 48 hours detectives were allowed to hold him. But the disgraced president remains in custody after investigators requested a new warrant Friday to extend his detention. A judge at Seoul Western District Court is set to review the request at a 2:00 pm (0500 GMT) hearing, with her decision expected Saturday night or early Sunday. Yoon's lawyer Yoon Kab-keun told AFP the president would attend the hearing "with the intention of restoring his honour". If approved, the new warrant will likely extend Yoon's detention by 20 days, giving prosecutors time to formalise an indictment. The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) is probing Yoon for insurrection, a charge that could see him jailed for life or executed if found guilty. Detention silence Yoon said Wednesday he had agreed to leave his compound to avoid "bloodshed", but that he did not accept the legality of the investigation. 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's detention. The court closed its entrance on Friday evening to the public, citing safety concerns. Yoon has refused to answer investigators' questions, with his legal team saying the president explained his position when detained on Wednesday. The president has also been absent from a parallel probe at the Constitutional Court, which is mulling whether to uphold his impeachment. Also read: Impeachment trial of suspended South Korean President Yoon to begin If the court rules against Yoon, he will lose the presidency and elections will be called within 60 days. He did not attend the first two hearings this week, but the trial, which could last months, will continue in his absence. Although Yoon won the presidential election in 2022, the opposition Democratic Party has a majority in parliament after winning legislative polls last year. The Democratic Party has celebrated the president's arrest, with a top official calling it "the first step" to restoring constitutional and legal order. 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. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

South Korea crisis: Court to decide on extending custody of impeached president

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon has defied an arrest warrant issued against him. The move escalates tensions amid ongoing political and legal challenges.

South Korea Political crisis: Impeached President Yoon defies arrest warrant

South Korean opposition parties on Wednesday rejected President Park Geun-Hye&#39;s offer to share power to overcome a crippling crisis, calling in effect for a caretaker government.

In a major climbdown forced by a crippling corruption scandal, Park had agreed to dump her nominee for prime minister, and accept one chosen by the opposition-controlled parliament.

But opposition parties said Park&#39;s offer was too &quot;ambiguous&quot;, urging her to guarantee the new prime minister would be given a completely free hand in selecting cabinet ministers, handling state affairs and functioning without interference.

&quot;It&#39;s not even worth consideration&quot;, the country&#39;s three opposition parties said in a joint press statement.

Park has come under mounting pressure to step down over the scandal involving a close friend, Choi Soon-Sil, who has been arrested on charges of fraud and abuse of power.

The charges relate to allegations that Choi leveraged her personal relationship with Park to coerce donations from large companies like Samsung to non-profit foundations which she set up and used for personal gain.

She is also accused of interfering in government affairs, including in the nomination of senior officials.

Lurid reports of the unhealthy influence Choi wielded over Park have sent the president&#39;s approval ratings plunging to record lows and triggered mass street protests calling on her to resign.

In a bid to restore public trust, Park reshuffled her advisers and senior cabinet members, and nominated a liberal candidate for prime minister from outside her conservative Saenuri Party.

But opposition parties had vowed to block her nominee on the grounds they were not properly consulted.

Park Jie-Won, President of the country&#39;s second opposition party,the People&#39;s Party, said the president is resorting to a divide-and-rule tactic, sowing seeds of discord among her opponents and letting them fight among themselves over who should be the next prime minister.

&quot;We&#39;ve already fallen into the trap set by the president&quot;, the veteran politician told journalists.

&quot;This is also a delaying tactic intended to earn time&quot;.

The presidential Blue House said on Wednesday that the president is sincere in her offer to share power with opposition parties, calling for a meeting with heads of both ruling and opposition parties to discuss details.

(AFP)

They have in effect called for a caretaker government

South Korean opposition parties on Wednesday rejected President Park Geun-Hye's offer to share power to overcome a crippling crisis, calling in effect for a caretaker government. In a major climbdown forced by a crippling corruption scandal, Park had agreed to dump her nominee for prime minister, and accept one chosen by the opposition-controlled parliament. But opposition parties said Park's offer was too "ambiguous", urging her to guarantee the new prime minister would be given a completely free hand in selecting cabinet ministers, handling state affairs and functioning without interference. "It's not even worth consideration", the country's three opposition parties said in a joint press statement. Park has come under mounting pressure to step down over the scandal involving a close friend, Choi Soon-Sil, who has been arrested on charges of fraud and abuse of power. The charges relate to allegations that Choi leveraged her personal relationship with Park to coerce donations from large companies like Samsung to non-profit foundations which she set up and used for personal gain. She is also accused of interfering in government affairs, including in the nomination of senior officials. Lurid reports of the unhealthy influence Choi wielded over Park have sent the president's approval ratings plunging to record lows and triggered mass street protests calling on her to resign. In a bid to restore public trust, Park reshuffled her advisers and senior cabinet members, and nominated a liberal candidate for prime minister from outside her conservative Saenuri Party. But opposition parties had vowed to block her nominee on the grounds they were not properly consulted. Park Jie-Won, President of the country's second opposition party,the People's Party, said the president is resorting to a divide-and-rule tactic, sowing seeds of discord among her opponents and letting them fight among themselves over who should be the next prime minister. "We've already fallen into the trap set by the president", the veteran politician told journalists. "This is also a delaying tactic intended to earn time". The presidential Blue House said on Wednesday that the president is sincere in her offer to share power with opposition parties, calling for a meeting with heads of both ruling and opposition parties to discuss details. (AFP)

Opposition rejects South Korea President's crisis remedy