Seoul Central District Court dismisses Yoon's petition challenging legality of detention

With a court rejecting a petition challenging President Yoon's detention, investigators can and will continue to try to question him, while also filing for a warrant on Friday to officially arrest him.

Let's connect with our Kim Bo-kyoung at the investigators' office in Gwacheon City.

So, Bo-kyoung, let's start with the court's dismissal of the petition.

Good morning Dami.

As you have already said, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed impeached President Yoon's request to challenge his detention, after hours of deliberation on Thursday.

Yoon was taken into custody on Wednesday and detained by the CIO for questioning over his December 3rd martial law declaration, and has been refusing to speak or attend interrogations.

Yoon's legal team tried to turn things around,.. by filing a petition to the Seoul Central District Court seeking a review of the legality of his detention.

They argued the detention warrant against him, issued by the Seoul Western District Court was invalid, and that the CIO lacked jurisdiction over insurrection.

The court convened a hearing at 5 PM to review Yoon's request, but as it rejected claims from Yoon's side, the president remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Yoon's legal team expressed regret over the court's decision, saying it is unfortunate how illegal and unlawful actions are tolerated, while the rule of law is being undermined.

Yoon's side added they will not comply with the CIO's investigations saying they cannot accept illegal procedures.

Now, the next step for the investigators is seeking a formal arrest warrant for President Yoon.

We should expect that to happen today, right?

Yes, Dami.

The CIO originally had to decide whether to seek a formal arrest warrant by 10:33 AM Friday, but the 48-hour deadline for holding the president was extended to around 9 PM as the court review was in progress.

Since around 2 PM on Thursday, when investigators submitted documents, including evidence, to the court the detention period remained on hold, until the court returned the documents to the CIO investigators early this morning at 12:35 AM.

Now with the court's decision, the CIO is expected to seek a formal arrest warrant late Friday night to keep him in detention for a longer period.

If the formal warrant is issued, Yoon can be held for a total of 20 days, including the initial 48-hour detention period.

The CIO will likely hold and question Yoon for eight more days, before transferring the case to the prosecution, which has the authority to indict a suspect.

Both parties have already agreed to spend ten days each questioning Yoon.

And I'm sure pro-Yoon protesters remain distressed and upset?

After the court rejected Yoon's request, supporters gathered in front of the Seoul Central District Court and expressed their anger at the decision.

They then reportedly moved to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang City, to show their support for Yoon.

The police unofficially estimated that around three hundred people were gathered in front of the court last night.

A conservative group rally with an estimated three thousand participants is scheduled to take place in front of Seoul Detention Center at 1 PM today.

That is all I have for now, but I will bring you more updates in a later newscast.

Back to you, Dami.

Thank you Bo-kyoung for the coverage.

That was our Kim Bo-kyoung reporting live from the investigators' office.