Protests erupt in South Korea after arrest warrant cancelled for impeached President

Protesters, in support of and against South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, gathered in Seoul and Uiwang on Friday following a court decision to cancel Yoon's arrest warrant.

The court's decision potentially paves the way for his release from jail where he faces trial on insurrection charges over a brief imposition of martial law.

Thousands of anti-Yoon protesters gathered in downtown Seoul to protest the court's decision. Yoo Seong-min, a 31-year-old anti-Yoon protester, said he came out to protest because "anger shot through" his head.

The Seoul Central District Court said in a statement that its ruling was based on the timing of the indictment that came after the initial detention period had expired and noted, “questions about the legality" of the investigation process that involved two separate agencies.

The ruling did not dismiss the criminal charges that led to Yoon's arrest on January 15, and the case is separate from his impeachment, which is still pending before the Constitutional Court.