Yoon faces court hearing after impeachment

Yoon Suk Yeol’s detention hearing sparks protests amid martial law investigation.

A blue van, believed to be transporting impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, arrives at the Seoul Western District Court on January 18, 2025, for a hearing to decide whether to extend Yoon's detention as investigators probe his failed martial law bid. Photo by Kim Min-Hee/AFP/Getty Images

By Clarisa Sendy and Nada Fadiyah

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court on Saturday for a pivotal hearing to determine whether his detention will be extended. The hearing comes as investigators delve deeper into his controversial and failed attempt to impose martial law.

The president’s actions, including his December 3 bid to suspend civilian rule and send soldiers to parliament, threw the country into turmoil. Although his attempt was quashed within six hours, it led to his impeachment by lawmakers and subsequent detention.

Yoon arrived at Seoul Western District Court under heavy security, facing a crowd of vocal supporters waving flags and holding placards demanding his release. Tensions flared as protesters clashed with police, highlighting the deep divisions in public opinion over the embattled leader.

Yoon Suk Yeol’s bid to impose martial law came after months of political tension. The president had ordered soldiers to storm parliament in an effort to halt a vote against his proposed measures. However, the plan backfired spectacularly as lawmakers swiftly voted to impeach him, marking one of the most dramatic moments in South Korea’s political history.

Following his impeachment, Yoon resisted arrest for weeks, staying in his heavily guarded residence. He was eventually detained during a dawn raid on Wednesday, making him the first sitting South Korean president to face detention.

During his initial 48-hour detention period, Yoon reportedly refused to cooperate with investigators. On Friday, prosecutors requested a new warrant to extend his detention, a decision that could lead to formal charges of insurrection.

Yoon’s court appearance on Saturday was a high-stakes moment. According to his lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, the president attended the hearing to “restore his honor.” The court session began with Yoon in attendance, while outside, his supporters rallied in protest.

Bae Bo-yoon (left) and Yoon Kab-keun (right), lawyers for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, arrive at the Constitutional Court of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, on January 14, 2025. Photo by SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Security was tight, with police forming a barricade to prevent demonstrators from reaching the courthouse. The entrance had been closed to the public since Friday evening due to safety concerns.

The presiding judge is expected to announce her decision on the detention extension late Saturday or early Sunday. If approved, as many expect, Yoon’s detention could be extended by 20 days, allowing prosecutors additional time to build their case.

If Yoon is formally charged with insurrection, he could face severe penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Legal experts suggest that if the new detention warrant is issued, Yoon is unlikely to return home for an extended period.

“This could mark a significant turning point,” said political analyst Park Sang-byung. “Once the warrant is issued this time, he will likely remain detained throughout the trial process.”

The president has also refused to cooperate with a parallel investigation at the Constitutional Court, which is reviewing whether to uphold his impeachment. If the court confirms the impeachment, Yoon will be permanently removed from office, triggering new presidential elections within 60 days.

The impeachment and detention of Yoon Suk Yeol have divided South Korea’s political landscape. While the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, has celebrated the president’s arrest, his supporters argue that the investigation is politically motivated.

A Democratic Party spokesperson described the arrest as “the first step toward restoring constitutional and legal order.” In contrast, Yoon’s legal team has maintained that the investigation is illegitimate.

On Wednesday, Yoon said he had agreed to leave his residence to avoid “bloodshed” but emphasized that he did not recognize the legality of the probe. His team has stated that the president explained his position during his arrest and will not answer further questions.

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol rally near the Seoul Western District Court on January 18, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea. Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

As the court’s decision looms, the political and legal consequences for Yoon Suk Yeol remain uncertain. His absence from the presidency has created a leadership vacuum, with the opposition gaining momentum.

The trial, expected to last several months, will continue regardless of Yoon’s participation. Meanwhile, his supporters remain vocal, adding to the tension surrounding one of South Korea’s most significant political crises in recent history.

Whether Yoon’s detention is extended or not, the case will undoubtedly shape the country’s political future for years to come.