Lawmakers plan prison hearings for Yoon and Kim, though both are likely to be absent

Today, the National Assembly's special committee investigating the insurrection allegations against President Yoon will attempt to hold prison hearings.

However, it seems that both the President and former Defense Minister are likely to skip these sessions.

For more, we have our Kim Jung-sil on the line.

Good morning Jungsil, fill us in here.

Certainly, Dami.

The special committee, composed of lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties, is currently conducting a field investigation at the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center to question former Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

We are receiving live footage, and it appears the ruling party seats are empty, as they had indicated a likely boycott over the selection of President Yoon as a witness.

As a result, the field investigation is proceeding with only opposition lawmakers. Later today, at 2 PM, the committee is scheduled to move to Seoul Detention Center to question President Yoon. However, with both Yoon and Kim having already expressed their intention to skip the questioning, it remains uncertain whether any substantial testimonies will be gathered today.

I see, now what about President Yoon's recent request to cancel his detention? What are his reasonings behind this move and what's expected next?

Yes, that's correct. President Yoon's legal team has filed a request with the court for the cancellation of his detention, arguing that the legal grounds for his arrest have either expired or no longer apply.

They claim that the detention period, based on the arrest warrant, expired at midnight on January 25th, making the detention on January 26th unlawful. However, according to reports, the prosecution considers the detention period to expire on the 27th.

The court is expected to decide on the request by the end of this week, specifically by February 7th.

President Yoon's defense team also contends that the charges, particularly regarding the declaration of martial law, should not be classified as insurrection.

Under South Korean criminal procedure law, the court must cancel the detention if the grounds for the arrest no longer exist or have expired.

Critics, particularly from the opposition party, say the defense's actions seem to be yet another attempt to exploit legal loopholes.

That's all from me this morning, back to you Dami.

Thank you Jung-sil, for that report.