South Korea: Impeached President Yoon’s prison term extended

The order — and Yoon’s subsequent refusal to comply with investigators — is the latest development in the saga that has dragged South Korea out of political crisis.

The order was issued at 03:00 local time (18:00 GMT on Saturday).

The suspended president is being investigated by the Corruption Perceptions Office (CIO) on charges of sedition against the failed martial law ruling that plunged the country into chaos on December 3.

He has been impeached by parliament and suspended – but will only be removed from office if the constitutional court upholds the impeachment.

Investigators now have 20 days to try the president, including the four days Yoon has already spent in jail since his arrest.

After the detention was extended, Yoon’s lawyer, Yun Gap-geun, told Yonhap News Agency that the president would refuse to be questioned by the CIO.

Yoon’s supporters gathered in front of the courthouse ahead of the verdict, with many entering the building after the judges were adjourned.

Journalists at the scene said that dozens of people were arrested by the police after the incident.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok expressed his “strong regret” over the violence, which was “unthinkable in a democratic society,” adding that authorities would increase security around future demonstrations.