A court in Seoul has issued a formal arrest warrant for South Korean President Jun Suk Jeol as part of an investigation following his declaration of martial law. Tens of thousands of the politician's supporters gathered in front of the court and the detention center. There were scuffles with the police.
On Saturday, the suspended president was interrogated for nearly five hours before the Western District Court. During this time, Jun spoke for 40 minutes and made a five-minute statement at the end.
The president's lawyer said his client appeared in court “to defend his honor by directly explaining (the issue of) the legality of martial law and that there was no coup” (in connection with Jun's declaration of martial law). As Yonhap news agency reported, over 40,000 supporters of the politician gathered in front of the court during the day, constantly chanting slogans such as “impeachment is invalid” and “free the president.” There were several scuffles with the police. A total of 40 people were detained who tried to break through barriers, attacked officers or destroyed police vehicles.
After the hearing, Jun was taken back to the detention center in the city of Uiwang, where he was greeted by an enthusiastic group of more than 100 people, some of whom “shed tears at the sight of the politician,” Yonhap writes. Just a few meters away, members of a civic group held a rally calling for the president's arrest.
The president's supporters at the car that was supposed to take Jun to the detention centerPAP/EPA/YONHAP / POOL
Detention of the president
Jun was detained on Wednesday morning by officers of the Office for the Prosecution of Corruption among Top Officials (CIO) and the police. He became the first president to be detained while in office.
The CIO is investigating Jun on charges of coup d'état. If found guilty, the maximum sentence under the law is life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Jun's lawyers, however, say the CIO has no authority to investigate coup allegations.
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Jun refused to testify during the 48-hour period during which investigators had the right to detain him. Therefore, on Friday, the CIO requested an extension of the detention.
The formal arrest warrant means Jun's detention has been extended to 20 days, giving prosecutors time to formalize the indictment. Otherwise, the politician would be released and could return to his Seoul residence.
President Jun failed to show up for the third day of hearingsYONHAP/PAP/EPA
Jun declared extraordinary martial law on December 3, and six hours later he lifted it under pressure from deputies who held a vote in the National Assembly. On December 14, the parliament voted to impeach Jun.
Soldiers withdraw from the parliament grounds in SeoulPhoto from December 3, 2024PAP/EPA/YONHAP
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/YONHAP / POOL