[AI's Thoughts...] Will the Cancellation of Yoon's Detention Affect the Impeachment Trial?

■ President Yoon Sukyeol Released After 52 Days in Detention
Detention Cancelled After Indictment Following Expiration of Custody Period
No Direct Impact, but Detention Process Remains a Key Factor
'Cancellation of Detention' Likely to Greatly Influence Public Opinion
Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' Pressure on May 18 Organizations Infringes on Freedom of Expression

Reporter: "How might the cancellation of President Yoon Sukyeol's detention affect the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial?"

ChatGPT: "There is no direct impact, but the legal controversies and political background surrounding the detention process, as well as public opinion, will serve as important factors."

President Yoon Sukyeol, who was detained and indicted on charges of being the "ringleader of insurrection" related to the December 3 Martial Law Incident, was released after 52 days in custody. It has been 41 days since his indictment while in detention.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun) accepted President Yoon's request to cancel his detention on the 7th, agreeing with his claim that his continued detention was unjust. The court determined that President Yoon was indicted after his detention period had already expired.

President Yoon Seokyeol, released from Seoul Detention Center, arrived in front of his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul on the 8th, getting out of the vehicle and greeting his supporters. Photo by Yonhap News

ChatGPT cited two main reasons for the cancellation of President Yoon's detention: ▲indictment after the expiration of the detention period, and ▲controversy over the investigative authority of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).

President Yoon was arrested on January 15 and his detention period expired at 9:07 a.m. on January 26. However, the prosecution indicted him at 6:52 p.m. on the 26th, meaning the indictment was made after the detention period had already ended, which was deemed illegal detention. In addition, the court ruled that the CIO did not have the authority to investigate insurrection charges, so procedural issues led to the cancellation of his detention.

The next question was how the cancellation of President Yoon's detention might affect the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial.

ChatGPT stated that factors such as ▲the relationship between the cancellation of detention and impeachment, ▲legal legitimacy, ▲issues of presidential credibility and fairness, and ▲public opinion and political circumstances should be considered. While the cancellation of detention itself may not directly affect the impeachment trial, the legal controversies and political background arising from the process could become important considerations in the trial.

ChatGPT emphasized, "The cancellation of detention itself may not directly affect the president's impeachment trial, but any illegal legal procedures or unfair treatment during detention could become an issue in the trial. Even if the cancellation works in the president's favor, the impeachment trial requires separate legal grounds and judgments."

ChatGPT further explained, "What matters in the impeachment trial is whether the president violated the Constitution in the course of performing official duties. If suspicions arise that the detention process was politically pressured, the 'political controversy related to the cancellation of detention' could influence the Constitutional Court's decision. The cancellation itself could also affect public opinion and the political climate."

On March 1, Samiljeol, pro and anti-impeachment rallies for President Yoon Seokyeol were held across Seoul.
On the left is the joint nationwide rally urging the impeachment by the five opposition parties in Anguk-dong. On the right is the anti-impeachment rally by the Korea Right the Republic National Movement Headquarters on Sejong-daero. Photo by Yonhap News.

Regarding the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' pressure on the May 18 organizations after they issued a statement on President Yoon's cancellation of detention, ChatGPT evaluated it as "an act that infringes on freedom of expression and goes against the principles of democracy."

ChatGPT said, "The May 18 organizations consist of victims and families of the May 18 Democratization Movement, and this statement likely reflects the view that the president should respect the values of democracy and human rights in carrying out official duties. Attempts by public institutions such as the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to restrict the positions of specific organizations could indicate political unfairness."