South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had been impeached, walked out of prison on Saturday after a court decision allowed for his release. This move was made to enable him to face trial for rebellion charges without being detained. Initially arrested and indicted in January due to a martial law decree which caused political unrest, the National Assembly later impeached him.

This release from prison was in response to Yoon’s legal team’s argument that the agency which initially detained him lacked authority for the investigation. The court accepted Yoon’s request based on the legal period of his formal arrest having expired before the indictment.

Yoon, addressing his supporters, thanked the court for rectifying what he called “illegality,” and urged his followers who are on hunger strike to end it. The Constitutional Court is still deciding on whether to uphold or overturn his impeachment. If the impeachment is upheld, new presidential elections will be held within two months.

The main opposition Democratic Party, which spearheaded Yoon’s impeachment, criticized prosecutors for not appealing the court’s decision, referring to them as “henchmen” of Yoon, who previously served as prosecutor general. Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Seung-rae called for the Constitutional Court to expediate Yoon’s dismissal to prevent further public unrest.

Supporters of former President Yoon were seen waving South Korean and U.S. flags and shouting his name as he left the detention center in Uiwang, east of Seoul. This move marks a significant moment in South Korea’s ongoing political turmoil.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/south-koreas-impeached-president-yoon-suk-yeol-freed-from-prison-after-canceled-arrest