(Jan 18): South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court on Saturday to argue against a request for his detention to be extended after his arrest earlier this week. 

Yoon defended himself during the hearing at the Seoul Western District Court, his attorney Yoon Kab-keun told reporters. The president spoke before the judge for about 40 minutes in the first session and about five minutes in final remarks, according to local media. 

The president left the court about five hours after arriving from a detention centre, and returned to the facility where he will await the result. It was the first time he had left the centre near Seoul, where he has been held since his arrest on Wednesday. 

Yoon shocked the nation and the world by briefly imposing martial law in early December, plunging South Korea into its worst constitutional crisis in decades. He was suspended from his duties after the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him on Dec 14.

The court is reviewing a fresh warrant request by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to hold Yoon for as long as 20 days, from an initial one that lasted only 48 hours. The decision could be announced late on Saturday or Sunday. 

Yoon explained his stance based on facts, evidence and legal principles, his attorney said. Yoon’s lawyer earlier said the president would also use the hearing to justify his brief declaration of martial law in December and protest against his arrest.

Thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the court earlier on Saturday, and attempted to approach the van he arrived in. They waved South Korean and American flags and chanted that the arrest was illegal. 

Some protesters tried to climb over the wall of the court before they were pulled down by police. Yoon did not stop at the press photo line before and after the hearing. 

Yoon has repeatedly questioned the validity of the investigation by the CIO and refused to answer questions. A new warrant could signal that the agency has the legitimacy to lead the investigation. 

The Constitutional Court is now deliberating whether to uphold Parliament’s decision and remove Yoon from office. A ruling in favour of impeachment will trigger a presidential election within 60 days. 

The National Assembly on Friday passed a revised bill on a special counsel investigation into Yoon’s martial law decree, without the ruling party’s support.

Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee