South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has been released from detention after prosecutors chose not to appeal a court ruling that canceled his arrest.
Despite his release, Yoon remains suspended from his duties and continues to face both criminal and impeachment trials.
As he walked out of the detention center in Uiwang on Saturday, Yoon bowed to cheering supporters waving Korean and US flags.
In a statement after his release, he said, “I would also like to express my deep gratitude to the many citizens who have supported me despite the cold weather, as well as to our future generations.”
His release followed a decision by the Seoul Central District Court on Friday to cancel his arrest warrant on technical and legal grounds.
ALSO READ: South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol arrested
The Seoul Detention Center confirmed to CNN earlier on Saturday that they had received an official letter from the Seoul prosecutors’ office ordering his release.
Yoon had been in detention since January after being arrested on charges of leading an insurrection—one of the few criminal offenses that a sitting president does not have immunity from.
His arrest stemmed from a decree issued on December 3, which saw him declare martial law, ban political activity, and deploy troops to central Seoul.
However, he reversed the decision within six hours after lawmakers forced their way into parliament and voted unanimously to block it.
Following these events, lawmakers voted to impeach him, and the Constitutional Court is now set to decide whether he will be permanently removed from office or reinstated.
His impeachment trial remains separate from the criminal charges he faces.
With his release, Yoon will now await the impeachment verdict, expected in the coming weeks, from home rather than from detention.
(CNN)
and then