South Korean president released; trials continue after court overturns detention.

REUTERS - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol left a detention center on Saturday after prosecutors decided not to appeal a court ruling that canceled the arrest warrant for the ousted leader, who was accused of insurrection.

Yoon, 64, remains suspended from his duties while his criminal and impeachment trials continue in connection with his brief imposition of martial law on December 3.

The Seoul Central District Court canceled Yoon's arrest warrant on Friday, citing the timing of his indictment and questions about the legality of the investigation process.

"I would like to thank the Central District Court for its courage and determination in correcting this illegality," Yoon said in a statement.

As he left the facility, Yoon appeared smiling and relaxed, wearing a dark suit without a tie. He got out of the car, waved, raised his fist, and bowed to supporters waving South Korean and American flags.

His lawyers stated that the court's decision "confirmed that the president's detention was problematic in both procedural and substantive aspects," describing the ruling as "the beginning of a journey to restore the rule of law."

Prosecutors could not be immediately reached for comment.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Party, criticized the prosecutors' decision, accusing them of "plunging the country and its people into a crisis," and urged the Constitutional Court to remove Yoon from office as quickly as possible.

In the impeachment trial, the Constitutional Court is expected to decide in the coming days whether Yoon will be reinstated or removed from office.

On Saturday, approximately 55 Yoon supporters held demonstrations in major Seoul districts, while 32.500 people protested against him near the Constitutional Court, according to the Yonhap news agency, citing unofficial police estimates.

Public opinion, however, remains overwhelmingly against Yoon. According to a Gallup Korea poll released on Friday, 60% of respondents support his removal from office, while 35% oppose it.

Before the prosecutors' decision, hundreds of Yoon's supporters also protested in front of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office.

"I was very sad that he wasn't released quickly. It was a difficult time for me to wait, but it was well worth it," said Lee Heoung-ok, a 62-year-old supporter who was waiting for Yoon's release at the detention center.

Shim Ye-rin, 27, said: "I saw him walking off on his own and greeting his supporters. I thought it was a bit ridiculous, because it seemed like something that couldn't happen in a democratic society, something outside of common sense."

Yoon, the first South Korean president to be arrested while in office, had been detained at the Seoul Detention Center, located in the city of Uiwang, 22 km south of the capital, since January 15.