SEOUL
Reuters
—
A South Korean court on Sunday extended President Yoon Suk Yeol’s detention for up to 20 days, fearing he could destroy evidence in a criminal investigation into his brief declaration of martial law in early December.
Yoon on Wednesday became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested while facing allegations of insurrection. With the requirement to either request an extension of detention or release the president within 48 hours, South Korean investigators on Friday asked a Seoul court to extend his detention after he refused to be questioned .
The Seoul West District Court said it approved the detention warrant requested by the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO).
The reason for this approval was “the fear that the suspect could destroy evidence”, the court said in a statement.
Under the new arrest warrant, Yoon can be detained for up to 20 days. South Korean regulations require a suspect detained on a warrant to submit to a physical examination, have a photo taken and wear a prison uniform.
The IOC said in a statement that it would investigate Yoon, who is being held at the Seoul Detention Center, in accordance with the law and procedure.
After learning that Yoon’s detention had been extended, some of Yoon’s supporters broke into the court at around 3 a.m. local time and damaged property, assaulted police officers and shouted the president’s name, L reported. Yonhap News Agency.
Live television showed a large contingent of police seeking to quell protesters inside the building.
So far, Yoon has obstructed the IOC’s efforts to question him, refusing to attend his interrogation. It was unclear whether Yoon would change his position due to his prolonged detention.
Insurrection, the crime Yoon could be charged with, is one of the few against which a South Korean president does not have immunity.
South Korea is grappling with its worst political crisis in decades, triggered by Yoon’s brief attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3, which was rejected by Parliament.
Lawmakers impeached Yoon on Dec. 14, suspending his presidential powers.