President Yoon Suk-yeol was released from detention after prosecutors chose not to appeal a court ruling that declared his initial arrest unlawful. Yoon, who was indicted on insurrection charges following his failed martial law bid in December, walked free on Saturday after the court ruled that the prosecution had filed the indictment after the detention period had already expired. Prosecutors had the option to appeal under South Korea’s Criminal Procedure Act but declined to pursue it.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) accused the prosecution of mishandling the case and demanded Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung’s resignation. DP floor leader Park Chan-dae said Shim “voluntarily gave up the opportunity to appeal” and warned that the party would push for Shim’s impeachment if he refuses to resign. The DP and four minor opposition parties also announced plans to file a complaint against Shim with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) defended the prosecution’s decision, arguing that the court’s ruling confirmed that Yoon’s arrest had been legally flawed.