Imprisoned South Korean President Yoon holds meeting with senior aides

South Korea's imprisoned President Yoon Suk Yeol held a meeting with his senior aides Friday at a detention center, following his indictment in a martial law probe, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Yoon's chief of staff Chung Jin-suk, National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik, and three other senior aides met with Yoon at the facility in Uiwang, south of Seoul.

Yoon was first detained on Jan. 15 and later arrested on Jan. 19 in connection with a wide-ranging investigation into a Dec. 3 martial law decree, which he defended. On Jan. 26, he was indicted.

He faces accusations of abuse of power and leading an insurrection, making him the first sitting president to be arrested while also under a travel ban.

Authorities initially imposed restrictions on meetings with Yoon, but these were lifted on Jan. 26.

“The presidential office is at the center of state affairs, so do not be discouraged and do your best in your respective positions,” Yoon told the visiting officials. “This is also a place where people live. I am doing well.”

Prosecutors on Friday also launched an investigation into allegations that police personnel assisted Yoon's botched martial law.

Investigators conducted a search and seizure operation at the police headquarters to obtain electronic records.

Yoon has been suspended from office since Dec. 14 when parliament impeached him. His case is now under review by the Constitutional Court, which has up to six months to issue a ruling.

During the police investigation, it was revealed that Yoon had considered declaring martial law, a move that even surprised his Cabinet.

“The president didn't seem to consider a Cabinet meeting at all,” impeached Premier Han Duck-soo said in his testimony, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily.

Yoon called a brief Cabinet meeting on the night of Dec. 3, before imposing martial law in a televised address. This triggered a rush in parliament, where lawmakers passed a motion to overturn his decision.

If the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office and new presidential elections must be held within two months.

However, if the court rejects the motion, the embattled 63-year-old president will be reinstated.

In Yoon's absence, state affairs are being managed by acting President Choi Sang-mok, who also serves as finance chief.

Han, who had temporarily served as acting president, was impeached for failing to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court as mandated by parliament.