South Korean investigators have recommended that impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol be charged with insurrection and abuse of power following a 51-day investigation into his botched declaration of martial law. The findings were handed over to prosecutors, who have 11 days to decide whether to file charges. The case stems from Yoon's attempt on December 3rd, 2024, to suspend civilian rule, which lasted only six hours before being overturned by lawmakers. He was subsequently impeached and arrested, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has faced criminal charges. While Yoon maintains his innocence and has refused to cooperate with the investigation, the CIO alleges he conspired with military commanders to declare martial law and obstruct lawmakers.
South Korea n investigators recommended on Thursday that impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol be charged with insurrection and abuse of power, as they handed over the results of their probe into his ill-fated declaration of martial law to prosecutors. The official charges against Yoon were 'leading an insurrection and abuse of power,' the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) said after a 51-day probe into his Dec. 3 attempt to suspend civilian rule.
The CIO said it 'decided to request the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office file charges against the sitting president, Yoon Suk Yeol, in connection with allegations including leading insurrection.' Yoon had 'conspired with the former minister of national defense and military commanders on Dec. 3, 2024,' it said. The leader, currently suspended from duties, 'declared martial law with the intent to exclude state authority or disrupt the constitutional order, thereby inciting riots.' Under the South Korean legal system, the case file of the suspect — identified as 'Yoon Suk Yeol: president' — will now be handed to prosecutors, who have 11 days to decide whether to charge him, which would lead to a criminal trial. The prosecutors' office has 'complied with the CIO's request for a case transfer,' the investigators said. Yoon was arrested in a dawn raid last week on insurrection charges, becoming the first sitting South Korean head of state to be detained in a criminal probe. South Korea was plunged into political chaos by Yoon's botched martial law declaration, which lasted just six hours before lawmakers voted it down. They later impeached him, stripping him of his duties. Since his arrest, Yoon has refused to be questioned by the CIO, which is in charge of the criminal probe. He has declined to cooperate with the probe and 'consistently maintained an uncooperative stance,' Lee Jae-seung, deputy CIO chief, said in a briefing to reporters. Yoon's security detail also 'obstructed searches and seizures, including access to secure communication devices like classified phones,' Lee said. The CIO said it had decided, in view of Yoon's efforts to block their investigation, it would be 'more efficient' for prosecutors to handle the case, as they have the authority to indict suspects. His lawyers have repeatedly said the CIO has no authority to investigate insurrection. Yoon's legal team said on Thursday that they urged prosecutors to 'conduct an investigation that adheres to legal legitimacy and due process.' During the night of Dec. 3, Yoon purportedly ordered troops to storm the National Assembly and prevent lawmakers from voting down his declaration of martial law. The CIO said its probe found that Yoon 'abused his authority by compelling police officers from the National Assembly Guard Unit and martial law forces to perform duties beyond their obligations.' He also 'obstructed the exercise of lawmakers' rights to demand the lifting of martial law,' it added. Yoon has denied instructing top military commanders to 'drag out' lawmakers from parliament to prevent them from voting down his decree. Yoon, who remains head of state, is being held in a detention center. In addition to the criminal probe, he is also facing a Constitutional Court case, where judges will decide whether to uphold his impeachment, which would officially remove him from office. If the court rules against Yoon, he will lose the presidency, and elections will be called within 60 days
Yoon Suk Yeol South Korea Impeachment Insurrection Martial Law Corruption Investigation Office Prosecutors Constitutional Court Presidency
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Suspended South Korean President Yoon Defies Investigators AgainSouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, suspended after a brief declaration of martial law, has refused to appear for questioning for the second time this week, deepening the country's political crisis.
Read more »
Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Defies Questioning Summons on ChristmasImpeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has again refused to appear for questioning, defying investigators' summons on Christmas Day. This marks the second time in a week that Yoon has ignored calls to cooperate with the probe into his alleged actions during a short-lived martial law declaration.
Read more »
Suspended South Korean President Yoon Defies Questioning Summons AgainSouth Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol has refused to appear for questioning for the third time in two weeks, defying investigators probing his short-lived martial law declaration. Yoon, who faces impeachment and criminal charges, was ordered to appear at 10 am on Sunday but did not attend. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is expected to decide whether to issue a fourth summons or seek an arrest warrant. Yoon is being investigated by prosecutors and a joint team comprising police, defense ministry, and anti-corruption officials while the Constitutional Court deliberates on his impeachment.
Read more »
Suspended South Korean President Yoon Skips Questioning AgainSouth Korea's suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol continued to defy investigators' demands, skipping a questioning session for the third time in two weeks. This development further escalates the political crisis engulfing the nation.
Read more »
South Korean Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Impeached President Yoon Suk YeolA South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his controversial attempt to impose martial law. The warrant, issued by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, cites concerns that Yoon may evade questioning and the possibility he committed insurrection. Yoon's lawyer has dismissed the warrant as illegal, claiming investigators lack authority to pursue the case. It remains unclear whether the warrant will be executed due to the Presidential Security Service's previous defiance of search warrants.
Read more »
South Korean Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Impeached President Yoon Suk YeolA South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached, suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempt to impose martial law. Yoon briefly suspended civilian rule this month, triggering a major political crisis. He faces criminal charges of insurrection, which could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Investigators requested the warrant after Yoon failed to appear for questioning for a third time.
Read more »