Yoon's Release Featured on Japan's Front Page... "Impeachment-Related Conflict Likely to Deepen"

"Potential Influence on Public Opinion Regarding Impeachment"
"Impact on Constitutional Court's Impeachment Trial Remains Uncertain"

Regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's release following the court's decision to cancel his detention, Japanese media reported on the 9th that this could potentially influence public opinion ahead of the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon's impeachment trial.

Japanese media, which have been giving significant coverage to the political situation in South Korea since President Yoon declared martial law last December, also featured articles about his release on the front pages of their morning editions on this day.

President Yoon Seok-yeol, released from Seoul Detention Center, is getting out of a vehicle and shaking hands with supporters in front of his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News

The Asahi Shimbun reported, "The South Korean prosecution immediately decided not to appeal the court's decision to cancel detention on the 8th," adding, "President Yoon was released and returned to the presidential residence after 52 days." It further analyzed, "With President Yoon's release, the momentum of his side and supporters, who claim the investigation was illegal, is likely to strengthen," and "The Constitutional Court is expected to soon decide whether to dismiss President Yoon, and social divisions surrounding the impeachment are likely to deepen."

The Yomiuri Shimbun also suggested that President Yoon's release ahead of the impeachment ruling might influence public opinion trends, noting that he will face criminal trial while not in detention.

The newspaper added, "The ruling party and President Yoon's supporters are welcoming this and are planning to use this release to push for the dismissal of the impeachment," and "The opposition parties advocating impeachment see this as potentially disadvantageous to their efforts to regain power and are strengthening their vigilance."

The Mainichi Shimbun stated that the Seoul Central District Court's judgment that President Yoon was indicted after his detention period had expired is unlikely to affect the Constitutional Court's decision, but predicted, "Protests opposing the impeachment are likely to gain momentum."

Jiji Press explained that the court somewhat accepted President Yoon's side's argument that the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office does not have jurisdiction over the charge of rebellion, which is expected to influence the upcoming criminal trial.

However, Jiji Press also noted that whether President Yoon's release will affect the impeachment trial remains uncertain.