A South Korean court has extended President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention for up to 20 days, following allegations of insurrection related to his declaration of martial law. This decision has sparked violent protests, with hundreds of supporters storming the court building, causing chaos and destruction.
After a 5-hour hearing, the Seoul Western District Court granted investigators' request to extend Yoon's detention due to concerns about potential evidence tampering. The president, who became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, is expected to remain in solitary confinement at the Seoul Detention Centre.
Yoon's legal team has vowed to continue fighting the charges, denouncing the criminal probe as invalid. The court's decision has drawn mixed reactions, with his conservative People Power Party expressing disappointment while the opposition Democratic Party sees it as a step towards restoring order.
Despite the turmoil and impeachment proceedings, Yoon's party has seen a resurgence in support, overtaking the opposition in recent polls. The president denies the allegations of insurrection and has refused to cooperate with investigators, arguing that the arrest warrant was issued improperly.
Separate from the criminal probe, the Constitutional Court is deliberating on whether to uphold the impeachment and permanently remove Yoon from office. The situation remains tense as the country grapples with political uncertainty and escalating tensions.
