Detained South Korean president is freed to cheers and jeers as he faces insurrection trial

Lawyers for Yoon said the ruling confirmed that Yoon’s detention was problematic “both procedurally and substantively.”

“We deeply realize how difficult it is to restore the rule of law once it has collapsed,” they said. “From now on, a new journey begins.”

Yoon, who is currently suspended from office, was originally arrested on Jan. 15, making him the first sitting South Korean president to be detained on criminal charges. He still faces an insurrection trial as well as a separate trial to determine whether to uphold his December impeachment by lawmakers in the opposition-controlled parliament.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, the investigative agency responsible for Yoon’s arrest, expressed regret over his release.

The main opposition Democratic Party called Yoon’s release “an act of surrender” and said Yoon was “striking a victorious pose like a triumphant general” as he left the detention center.

“This is the shameless attitude of a man who refuses to acknowledge that he remains an indicted suspect on charges of leading an insurrection,” said Cho Seung-rae, the party’s chief spokesperson.

South Korea is severely polarized between conservatives and liberals, and Yoon’s release was galling for opponents such as Park Hyun-min, a university student.

“He declared martial law, paralyzed the operation of the government, and then exploited loopholes in an unprecedented law, framing the detention as a mistake from the beginning and using that as an excuse to get out of prison,” Park said in a phone interview. “It’s cowardly.”

Kang Min Woo, who was demonstrating in support of Yoon near city hall, said he was “exalted” by Yoon’s release.

“This just is a beginning to deal with anti-state forces,” Kang, a 30-year-old office worker, said in a phone interview.

Kang said he hoped Yoon’s release would pressure the Constitutional Court to overturn his impeachment, noting that Yoon’s approval rating has rebounded in recent weeks. The court is expected to rule later this month.

But for the moment, Kang said, “I am getting ready to move over to the presidential residence to greet the president.”

Beomsu Jo reported from Seoul, Stella Kim reported from Los Angeles and Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong.