Seoul: Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from prison on Saturday, following a court ruling that allowed him to stand impeachment and criminal trials without detention over his failed attempt to impose martial law in December. Waving to his supporters, Yoon walked out of the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, after spending 52 days in custody on charges of inciting an insurrection. His release followed Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung's decision not to appeal the court's ruling. Within 30 minutes, Yoon arrived at his official residence in central Seoul.

According to Philippines News Agency, Yoon expressed gratitude to the court in a statement, appreciating the courage and determination shown in correcting what he described as illegality. With his release, he will now stand trial without physical detention. On Friday, the court approved Yoon's request after determining that his January 26 indictment on insurrection charges, which allowed his detention to be extended, had come hours after the initial detention period had already expired.

The People Power Party welcomed the court's decision, urging the Constitutional Court to take it into account in its impeachment deliberations. Party spokesperson Shin Dong-wook stated it was a just decision and hoped it would correct the distorted rule of law. However, the opposition Democratic Party criticized the prosecution, claiming that Yoon's release exacerbates the nation's political crisis. They called on the Constitutional Court to formally impeach Yoon in its upcoming decision.