A South Korean court cancelled impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's arrest warrant on Friday, paving the way for his release from jail following his arrest in mid-January on insurrection charges over a brief imposition of martial law.
The Seoul Central District Court said in a statement that its ruling was based on the timing of the indictment that came after the initial detention period had expired, and noted "questions about the legality" of the investigation process that involved two separate agencies.
On January 15, Yoon became the first sitting president to be arrested on criminal charges after days of a standoff between presidential guards and arresting authorities.
"The court's decision to cancel the arrest showed this country's rule of law is still alive," Yoon's lawyers said in a statement.
Yoon's lawyers also said he may not be immediately released because prosecutors can appeal. The prosecutors' office did not immediately comment on the ruling.
The defence team had argued that a warrant issued on January 19 that extended Yoon's detention was invalid because the request filed by prosecutors was procedurally flawed.
Yoon said his December 3 martial law declaration was needed to root out "anti-state" elements but lifted the decree six hours later after parliament voted to reject it. He has said he never intended to fully impose emergency military rule.
Weeks later he was impeached by the opposition-led parliament on accusations he had violated his constitutional duty by declaring martial law.
The Constitutional Court is expected to rule soon on his impeachment.
South Korea’s liberal presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung pledges to restore communication hotlines with North Korea and strengthen strategic ties with the U.S. and regional partners if elected, aiming to improve regional stability amid ongoing tensions.
Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with the newly appointed Korean Ambassador Kang Kymgu to discuss deepening bilateral ties, regional issues, and cooperation in various fields including education, climate diplomacy, and technology.
Two North Korean fishermen picked up by South Korean patrols in March remain stranded in the South as Pyongyang refuses to respond to requests for their return.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers’ meeting in South Korea took on new urgency as countries sought dialogue with the United States before a 90-day suspension on tariffs ends in July.
Families of victims killed in the Jeju Air plane crash last December have filed a criminal complaint against 15 people, including South Korea's transport minister and the airline's CEO, accusing them of professional negligence.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a call with his Russian counterpart, praised a major prisoner exchange and backed continued peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
A newly discovered object in the Milky Way is baffling astronomers with bursts of radio and X-rays every 44 minutes.
A 5.5-magnitude earthquake has struck southern Iran at a depth of 27 kilometers.
Yemen’s Houthi group has vowed a “hot summer” for Israel after a missile strike on Sanaa’s airport destroyed a civilian plane and disrupted operations.
A massive glacier collapse has destroyed most of the Swiss village of Blatten, leaving one person missing and nearly the entire town buried under debris.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
NATO Military Committee Chairman Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone has said Türkiye will be central to the Russia-Ukraine peace process, citing its military strength and strategic role in the alliance.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a call with his Russian counterpart, praised a major prisoner exchange and backed continued peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
A 5.5-magnitude earthquake has struck southern Iran at a depth of 27 kilometers.
Yemen’s Houthi group has vowed a “hot summer” for Israel after a missile strike on Sanaa’s airport destroyed a civilian plane and disrupted operations.
A massive glacier collapse has destroyed most of the Swiss village of Blatten, leaving one person missing and nearly the entire town buried under debris.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a call with his Russian counterpart, praised a major prisoner exchange and backed continued peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
A newly discovered object in the Milky Way is baffling astronomers with bursts of radio and X-rays every 44 minutes.
A 5.5-magnitude earthquake has struck southern Iran at a depth of 27 kilometers.
Yemen’s Houthi group has vowed a “hot summer” for Israel after a missile strike on Sanaa’s airport destroyed a civilian plane and disrupted operations.
A massive glacier collapse has destroyed most of the Swiss village of Blatten, leaving one person missing and nearly the entire town buried under debris.
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