'Health Deterioration' Claimed by Yoon... Decision on Release Expected Tonight

[Financial News] Former President Yoon Seok-yeol's habeas corpus hearing, requested against the arrest by the Special Prosecutor's Team on Rebellion and Foreign Affairs (Cho Eun-seok Special Prosecutor), concluded after about 5 hours.
Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeal Division 9-2 (Presiding Judges Ryu Chang-seong, Jeong Hye-won, Choi Bo-won) concluded the habeas corpus hearing of former President Yoon at around 4:14 PM on the 18th.
The interrogation, which began at 10:15 AM, ended after about 6 hours. Excluding a recess of about an hour for lunch, the interrogation effectively lasted about 5 hours.
From the Special Prosecutor's Team (Cho Eun-seok Special Prosecutor), Special Prosecutor Park Eok-su and Chief Prosecutor Jo Jae-cheol, among others, participated. They submitted a statement of opinions spanning over 100 pages to the court the previous day and reportedly prepared a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation of similar length.
The Special Prosecutor's Team maintains that all five charges listed in former President Yoon's warrant have been substantiated, and due to the seriousness of the crimes, he should not be released. They particularly believe that there is a high possibility of evidence destruction as he could coerce or pressure related parties into changing their testimonies.
The Special Prosecutor's Team received a response from Seoul Detention Center indicating 'no issues with former President Yoon's mobility' and submitted related materials to the court.
Special Prosecutor Park Eok-su did not respond to questions from the press about how they proved the necessity of detention and how they countered the claims of health deterioration from former President Yoon's side after the interrogation.
Former President Yoon's side reportedly prepared a PPT presentation of over 140 pages to assert that the criminal charges have not been substantiated and there is no concern of evidence destruction. His defense team stated, "We have refuted all the criminal charges by the Special Prosecutor and submitted objective health-related materials."
Former President Yoon attended the interrogation in person and spoke for about 30 minutes. He reportedly appealed for his release by explaining his health condition.
Previously, the defense team stated, "Former President Yoon is in a state where both eating and exercising are difficult due to a decline in energy," and "Despite taking diabetes medication, his blood sugar levels remain in the 230-240 range, and he experiences shortness of breath after walking just 70-80 meters, indicating severe overall physical abnormalities."
The decision on former President Yoon's release is expected to be made as early as tonight.
Former President Yoon was re-arrested on the 10th on charges including obstruction of special official duties, violation of the Presidential Security Act, abuse of authority, and falsification of official documents. Since his arrest, he has not responded to the Special Prosecutor's Team's investigation citing health reasons. The Special Prosecutor's Team attempted forced attendance three times but failed.

jisseo@fnnews.com Minji Seo Reporter