South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has been charged with insurrection for attempting to declare martial law in December. His ill-fated attempt to impose military rule led to a severe political crisis, making him the first sitting president charged with a crime. The indictment came after a Seoul court rejected his detention extension, forcing prosecutors to decide whether to charge or release him before Monday.
Han Min-soo, a Democratic Party spokesperson, stated, “The punishment of the ringleader of insurrection now begins finally.” Yoon’s legal team criticized the charges and promised to expose any investigating irregularities. They argued that the prosecution has become an “arm of political interests.”
In South Korea, insurrection carries life sentences or execution; however, executions are unlikely as the country hasn’t carried them out in decades. The Constitutional Court is considering whether to formally remove Yoon from office.
Yoon has refused to cooperate with the investigation and faces charges alongside his former defence minister and senior military commanders. At his December 3 televised announcement, Yoon invoked martial law to protect the nation from “anti-state” forces, amid budget and corruption scandals.
Parliament passed a law barring him from holding public office again. The military suspended parliamentary activity and imposed controls on media outlets. Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party leader, urged citizens to protest against the order. Within hours, 190 lawmakers voted unanimously to repeal it, with soldiers entering the parliament building through smashed windows.
Thousands of civilians gathered in front of the assembly, attempting to block the soldiers. Yoon was impeached by parliament and suspended on December 14, leading to South Korea’s worst political crisis in decades. The affair has polarized the nation, with hard-line supporters rallying behind him despite calls for his release. A presidential election could be held within 60 days if Yoon is removed from office.
The prosecutors’ office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr53r1d0jz4o