South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from detention on Saturday following a court decision that canceled his arrest warrant on insurrection charges.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the timing of his indictment and "questions about the legality" of the investigation process rendered the warrant invalid.
Yoon, 64, who has been in custody since January 15—the first South Korean president to be detained while in office—remains suspended from his duties as both his criminal and impeachment trials continue. The case stems from his brief imposition of martial law on December 3, an action that has sparked widespread legal and political controversy.
In a brief statement, Yoon expressed his gratitude to the court: "I would like to thank the Central District Court for their courage and determination in correcting the illegality." As he left the detention centre, a relaxed and smiling Yoon, dressed in a dark suit without a necktie and sporting streaks of grey, emerged from his car to cheers from supporters waving South Korean and U.S. flags.
His legal team hailed the decision as a confirmation that his detainment was flawed on both procedural and substantive levels, describing the ruling as "the beginning of a journey to restore rule of law." Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party criticized the decision, accusing prosecutors of "throwing the country and people into crisis" and urging the Constitutional Court to remove Yoon from office as soon as possible. The court is expected to soon decide on his fate in the impeachment trial.
Public sentiment in South Korea remains sharply divided. While approximately 55,000 supporters rallied in Seoul’s central districts, about 32,500 demonstrators gathered near the Constitutional Court to protest against him. A recent Gallup Korea poll found that 60% of respondents believe Yoon should be removed from office, compared to 35% who oppose his removal.
As President Yoon’s legal battles persist, the nation watches closely for further developments that will determine his political future and the broader implications for South Korea’s governance.
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.
South Korea’s presidential candidates kicked off their campaigns on Monday, promising to heal a fractured nation, boost the economy, and navigate a trade dispute with the United States, ahead of the June 3 snap election triggered by the ousting of president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Turkish President Erdogan met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul, vowing stronger ties in defence, energy, and transport sectors.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang says Beijing is considering new, even unconventional, policy tools as global trade disruptions intensify.
Germany is stepping up its military readiness, aiming to fully equip its armed forces by 2029 amid rising concerns over future threats from Russia.
Trump called Putin “crazy” after Russia’s record-breaking missile assault on Ukraine, marking his harshest public criticism yet of the Russian leader.
Hong Kong is seizing an unexpected opportunity to attract top academic talent after the U.S. banned Harvard from enrolling international students. The city’s universities are stepping in with offers and support to affected students.
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.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
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.
Turkish President Erdogan met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul, vowing stronger ties in defence, energy, and transport sectors.
Germany is stepping up its military readiness, aiming to fully equip its armed forces by 2029 amid rising concerns over future threats from Russia.
Trump called Putin “crazy” after Russia’s record-breaking missile assault on Ukraine, marking his harshest public criticism yet of the Russian leader.
Hong Kong is seizing an unexpected opportunity to attract top academic talent after the U.S. banned Harvard from enrolling international students. The city’s universities are stepping in with offers and support to affected students.
Southeast Asian leaders are meeting in Kuala Lumpur to voice concern over U.S. tariff policies and forge stronger regional and global alliances.
Turkish President Erdogan met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul, vowing stronger ties in defence, energy, and transport sectors.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang says Beijing is considering new, even unconventional, policy tools as global trade disruptions intensify.
Germany is stepping up its military readiness, aiming to fully equip its armed forces by 2029 amid rising concerns over future threats from Russia.
Trump called Putin “crazy” after Russia’s record-breaking missile assault on Ukraine, marking his harshest public criticism yet of the Russian leader.
Hong Kong is seizing an unexpected opportunity to attract top academic talent after the U.S. banned Harvard from enrolling international students. The city’s universities are stepping in with offers and support to affected students.
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