Focus on Headline 03/07/2025

SJ Lee (0:10)

Focus on Headline. And let's take a look at what major issues are making the headlines today on Focus on Headline. For this, joining us in the studio, we have our reporters, Yoon Se Young and Yi Seo Ho. Guys, welcome back.

Yoon Se Young (0:27)

Good evening.

SJ Lee (0:28)

Don't.

Yi Seo Ho (0:29)

Se Young is going to cry.

Yoon Se Young (0:32)

I'll do my best not to cry, not to get emotional.

SJ Lee (0:35)

We have two T's here.

Yoon Se Young (0:37)

Yes, and one F.

SJ Lee (0:38)

I don't wanna see no T-T's. You have enough T-T's. Oh my gosh.

Anyways, interestingly enough, I found out today, right? Se Young, you've been here for a very long time, right? You've even come back from your maternal leave.

Yoon Se Young (0:52)

Twice.

SJ Lee (0:53)

Seo Ho has never missed a date.

Yoon Se Young (0:56)

Wow.

SJ Lee (0:57)

Since she first joined us. That's a first. No one's ever done this ever in a Focus on Headline.

Yoon Se Young (1:03)

So proud of you.

SJ Lee (1:04)

There's a lot of people that miss out on their dates. I'm not gonna say who, but I'm just saying, there's been a lot of people. But it's good to have you guys on the final episode of Korea Now. And of course, our final Focus on Headline. I have to say, you know, part of me was saying, well, final day of Korea Now, I could finally take a break from all the news. On the final day of Korea Now, so much happening in the news. We found out hours ago that the court has ruled in favor of President Yoon Sung Yeol for him to be released from custody on Friday, overturning his detention, of course, tied to his brief imposition of the emergency martial law back on December 3rd. Yoon had filed a request with the Seoul Central District Court last month, arguing that his indictment for the martial law declaration was unlawful.

SPEAKER_3 (1:54)

So again, a big shocker.

SJ Lee (1:57)

Huge developments coming in just now. What's the latest that we have?

Yi Seo Ho (2:01)

President Yoon was indicted and detained on charges of leading on insurrection during the martial law declaration was ordered to be released after 51 days in custody and will likely to stand trial without detention. So on Friday, the Seoul Central District Court granted President Yoon's request to cancel his detention, ruling that his continued custody was unjustified.

So on February 4th, Yoon had requested the cancellation of his custody, arguing that his detention was unlawful. Then on February 20th, the court then held a hearing. And during the hearing, Yoon's legal team claimed that his indictment was unlawful, as it was filed after his detention period had expired, and insisted that he should be released immediately. Prosecutors however maintained that the indictment was legitimate and opposed his release. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice announced on Friday that it is waiting for the prosecution's decision on whether to authorize President Yoon's release. So if the prosecution does not issue a release order and instead immediately appeals the court's decision, a suspension of execution could take effect, meaning Yoon may not be released right away. And under the Criminal Prosecution Act, prosecutors have the right to file an immediate appeal against a court decision, excuse me, to cancel detention, and such an appeal automatically suspends the enforcement of the ruling. However, the Constitutional Court previously ruled that allowing prosecutors to appeal a court's decision to suspend decision is unconstitutional. So, citing this precedent, Yoon's legal team argues that the same principle should apply to detention cancellation decisions, leading to different legal interpretations. As a result, even if the prosecution files an immediate appeal, it remains uncertain whether Yoon's release would be delayed. Meanwhile, the presidential office and the ruling party have welcomed the court's decision, while the Democratic Party is calling on the prosecution to file an immediate appeal.

SJ Lee (4:16)

Yeah, so right now, nothing is set on stone, just said. You cannot get more dramatic than this on the final day of Korea. The prosecution again, like Soh said, has options right now. I think the consensus right now is that they're probably going to be filing an appeal. That's the consensus at this time. However, we don't know what's going to happen. The big thing, there's a huge gap now. Let's say President Yoon is released from custody.

It's not going to change the difference with the Constitutional Court. I know the ruling party, Kwon Young-se and Kwon Sung-dong have come out saying that with this ruling, maybe the Constitutional Court reviews it, mirrors the decision made by the Seoul Central District Court and eventually hands out a ruling that does not remove Yoon from office. However, the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial is still going on with the deliberation right now and there's still some escalation that this will... Maybe the ruling will come out, maybe next Friday is what they're saying. But this is separate right now.