A Seoul court has rejected a petition challenging the detention of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is under investigation for his failed martial law bid. The decision by the Seoul Central District Court came a day after Yoon’s legal representatives filed a petition seeking a review of the legality of Yoon’s detention, but the court upheld the decision to keep him in custody.

Mr. Yoon was detained the day before for questioning over his martial law declaration on December 3, after ignoring three summons. The court dismissed claims that the detention warrant was invalid and that the investigation should be handled by a different court. It also confirmed that the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) for High-ranking Officials has the authority to probe such cases.

Mr Yoon’s lawyers argued that the martial law declaration was not a breach of the constitutional order, but the court disagreed. While the review was ongoing, Yoon’s 48-hour detention period was temporarily paused. The CIO is expected to seek another warrant to officially arrest him and continue the investigation.