The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon's indictment to be "invalid," as it was made after his detention period had expired.
Given differing views over whether detention periods should be calculated in days or hours, the court further explained that there were additional grounds for canceling his arrest, even if the indictment came after before the expiration of his detention period.
The court also elaborated that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which was established to ensure fair and independent probes by separating investigation and prosecution, had consulted with prosecutors to detain him, despite the two being independent investigative agencies.
The ruling comes about 40 days after Yoon was indicted in mid-January on charges of insurrection and abuse of power following his abrupt declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 last year. Yoon has been incarcerated at a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province since then.
With Friday's ruling, Yoon will be released, unless prosecutors file an appeal against the decision within seven days.
Meanwhile, Yoon's fate hangs in the balance as the Constitutional Court of Korea is expected to deliver a final verdict on his impeachment trial next week.
A decision to uphold the impeachment would require at least six votes in favor from the highest court's eight-justice bench, which would result in Yoon's immediate ouster from office. Should the impeachment be upheld, Yoon would be ousted from office, leading to a snap presidential election within 60 days.
Yoon is also facing a separate criminal trial for the debacle at the Seoul Central District Court.
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