Calculating Yoon's Detention by 'Time'... Ministry of Justice Says "Unfair Decision Needs Correction"

Acting Minister of Justice on Yoon's Detention Cancellation
"Considers It Unfair... Immediate Appeal May Be Unconstitutional"

Kim Seok-woo, Acting Minister of Justice, is responding to questions from committee members at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Acting Minister of Justice Kim Seok-woo expressed that he "thinks it is unfair" regarding the court's ruling that the detention period should be calculated based on 'hours (時)' rather than 'days (日)' in the process of canceling the detention of President Yoon Seok-yeol.

At the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly main building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 12th, Acting Minister Kim stated, "Basically, I think the court's decision is unfair and needs to be corrected." The Seoul Central District Court accepted President Yoon's request to cancel his detention on the 7th. At that time, the court explained the background of its decision by stating that it was reasonable to consider that the prosecution was filed after the detention period for President Yoon had expired.

The controversy arose because the court accepted President Yoon's side's argument that the detention period should be calculated by 'hours' rather than 'days.' The prosecution did not file an immediate appeal against the court's ruling, citing the possibility of unconstitutionality, and as a result, President Yoon was released on the 8th. Regarding this, Acting Minister Kim said, "We plan to dispute (the unfair decision) on the merits," adding, "According to the intent of this decision, (President Yoon) should be released and then prosecuted, but since he was prosecuted while still detained without release, we see this as the issue being raised," and "Therefore, I think this will be one of the issues in the first trial."

When asked by lawmaker Kim Ki-pyo about the prosecution not filing an immediate appeal and what he thought about this decision, Acting Minister Kim replied, "If an immediate appeal is filed, there is a high possibility of unconstitutionality."