South Korea's Ex-President Yoon Faces Extended Detention Over Martial Law Plot
A Seoul court will rule on extending the detention of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, accused of using a drone operation as a pretext for his failed martial law bid. The decision could keep him jailed for another six months amid multiple trials.
A Seoul court is set to decide on Tuesday whether to extend the detention of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces new charges linking an alleged drone provocation against North Korea to his failed attempt to impose martial law last year. The decision is a critical juncture, as Yoon's current custody period is nearing its end.
A Looming Deadline and New Allegations
The Seoul Central District Court will hold a closed-door hearing at 2:30 p.m. to determine if Yoon should remain in custody, according to Yonhap News Agency. Yoon has been detained since July on charges of obstructing justice, and his six-month arrest warrant is set to expire on January 18.
The 'Drone Provocation' Theory
The request for an extension comes from a special counsel team, led by Cho Eun-suk, which has added new charges against the former president. Prosecutors claim that a drone deployment to North Korea in October of last year was a deliberate act to incite retaliation from Pyongyang.
According to the prosecution, this manufactured crisis was intended to serve as a pretext for Yoon's declaration of martial law in December. The new charges include aiding the enemy and abuse of power. If the court grants the extension, Yoon could be jailed for up to six more months, a move that would significantly impact his ongoing legal battles.
This content is AI-generated based on source articles. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur. We recommend verifying with the original source.
Related Articles
The U.S. nuclear-powered submarine USS Greeneville arrived in Busan, South Korea, on Dec. 23, 2025, for a port call aimed at strengthening the U.S.-South Korea alliance amid regional tensions with North Korea.
South Korea has begun a trial for mandatory facial recognition when registering new mobile numbers to fight financial scams, raising questions about biometric data privacy and government surveillance.
South Korea confirmed its 17th case of H5N1 bird flu this winter at a quail farm in Jincheon. Authorities are implementing quarantine measures and nationwide farm inspections to prevent further spread.
South Korea's military has revised its guidelines for defining the MDL border with North Korea to prevent accidental clashes, but the move raises concerns about a potentially softer response.