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Impeached South Korean President appears in court over arrest request

Yoon’s lawyers said he spoke for about 40 minutes during the nearly five-hour hearing but declined to share his specific comments.

South Korea Presidential Office, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea. (AP)

South Korea’s impeached president appeared before a Seoul judge on Saturday as the court considered a law enforcement request for his formal arrest, reported AP. Yoon, detained since Wednesday, faces potential rebellion charges linked to his declaration of martial law on December 3, which triggered South Korea’s most serious political crisis since the late 1980s.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials has requested a warrant for his formal arrest. Yoon’s lawyers said he spoke for about 40 minutes during the nearly five-hour hearing but declined to share his specific comments.

The court’s decision on the arrest request is expected by late Saturday or early Sunday. If granted, Yoon’s detention could be extended for 20 days, during which investigators will prepare an indictment.

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Also Read: | Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol taken to detention centre after questioning

Yoon’s motorcade, escorted by police, transported him from a detention center in Uiwang to the court, where thousands of supporters rallied nearby, demanding his release. Some protesters briefly broke through police lines near the court.

The crisis began when Yoon imposed military rule to break legislative gridlock, deploying troops to the National Assembly. Lawmakers later lifted the measure and impeached him on December 14.

Also Read: | Impeached President Yoon arrested in second attempt: What is behind the action-packed month in South Korea

Under South Korean law, orchestrating a rebellion is punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty. Investigators have argued for Yoon’s arrest due to his defiance of questioning requests.

(With inputs from AP)

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