South Korea’s Yoon in court as investigators seek to extend detention

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was in court for the first time on Saturday for a crucial hearing that will decide whether to extend his detention as officials investigate his failed martial law bid.

Yoon’s supporters rallied outside the court and scuffled with police as he arrived in a blue van, weeks after throwing the nation into chaos by attempting to suspend civilian rule.

South Korea’s first sitting president to be detained, Yoon refused to cooperate during the initial 48 hours detectives were allowed to hold him.

But the disgraced president remains in custody after investigators requested a new warrant on Friday to extend his detention.

He decided to appear in court “with the intention of restoring his honour”, the president’s lawyer Yoon Kab-keun said before the hearing.

A spokesperson for Seoul Western District Court later confirmed that the began commenced with the president there.