South Korea prolongs detention of President Yoon Soo Yul charged with mutiny

in prolonging the detention of President Yoon Sook Yul, who ceased his duties after his arrest for attempting to enforce military law in his country. This decision prompted the invasion of angry protesters in the court in South Korea who were calling for Yoon Sook Yul to be released while they stated that there are concerns about the possibility of destroying evidence from the accused to justify their decision. CORVERSE Over 44,000 protesters had gathered outside the court shouting slogans such as “free the president”. Forty protesters were arrested after violent incidents directed mainly against security forces. Yoon Sook Yul, who plunged South Korea into its most serious political crisis for decades addressed the judges for 40 minutes, broadcast the Yonhap agency. His advocates stated that his goal was “to restore his honor”. CORVERSE The court’s decision to extend his detention gives prosecutors time to formalise the indictment of mutiny. If found guilty, he is threatened with the imposition of the sentence of life imprisonment or death penalty. The indictment of mutiny will mean that the defendant will be detained throughout his trial. He is accused of destabilising his country by imposing surprise military law on December 3. His attempt was thwarted by the MPs in a parliament surrounded by military forces. He claims that his decision was dictated by his intention to protect South Korea from “communist North Korean forces” and “exterminate enemy elements to the state”. He was arrested on 15 January at his official residence. The National Assembly had voted on 14 December in favour of its abolition, causing its duties to cease. However, he remains officially president, since only the Constitutional Court has the authority to remove his title. The Court, which will operate alongside the judicial investigation, has a deadline until mid-June to permanently depose him or decide to restore his responsibilities.