They release South Korean president by decision of a court

The dismissed South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yoolhe was released this Saturday from the arrest in which he remained for almost two months in the framework of the open process against him by insurrection following his declaration of the martial law, and after a court ruled that his arrest was illegal.

Yoon left before 18:00 local time (9:00 GMT) today the detention center in Uiwang, south of Seoul, where he remained for 52 days, and was transferred to the presidential residence, local media reported.

Its liberation takes place after the Central District Court of Seoul annulled the arrest of the politician and that the Prosecutor’s Office decided today not to resort to this decision.

The president expressed his appreciation for “The courage and the determination of the court to correct illegality”in a message transmitted to his legal team, and left the detention center between cheers of supporters and politicians of the ruler Popular Power (PPP) that had concentrated there.

The capital court determined that its arrest has exceeded the legal period and that its processing was carried out outside the detention period.

With the decision of this instance, Yoon may face both the criminal process that accuses him of insurrection, the only crime to which a South Korean president is not immune and that could hold a life sentence, as well as the parallel political trial where it will be decided whether or not its dismissal is final.

A new turn in the political crisis

Yoon was arrested on January 15 in the presidential residence after a long commission between the South Korean authorities and the presidential security forces and supporters of the president, and after a first failed attempt to stop him at the beginning of January.

In parallel to the criminal trial, which for now is not affected by the cancellation of his arrest, the president awaits the resolution of the Constitutional, which he will determine in the next few days if his dismissal approved by the National Parliament on December 14 for his application of the martial law is or not definitive.

Yoon remains formally in the position of president although in practice he has been disabled of his functions for the motion of parliamentary disqualification and while the Constitutional reviews the case.

If the maximum South Korean judicial instance ratifies Yoon’s dismissal, the country must convene early presidential elections during the 60 days after the verdict.

Growing polarization

The party of Popular Powerto which Yoon belongs, welcomed his release, although he regretted that he has arrived “late”, and highlighted the need to review all the open procedures against the president, including that of the Constitutional.

The main opposition force, the Democratic Party (PD), said that the liberation of Yoon “is an inexcusable surrender and a declaration of loyalty to the leader of an insurrection, instead of loyalty to the people”, in a statement from his spokesman.

Parliamentarians of both matches had concentrated this Saturday at the detention center where Yoon was to defend their positions, along with supporters of both forces that had also moved there from the eve and in the midst of a wide security device.

The political crisis in South Korea triggered by martial law has deepened polarization in the country, with mass manifestations for and against Yoon that have continued since its arrest occurred.

While their supporters demand their restitution and defend the martial law, the opposition and progressive groups ask that their dismissal be confirmed.