South Korean police on Monday booked Acting President Choi Sang-mok on charges related to insurrection, following the declaration of martial law by impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, according to multiple media outlets.
A civic group known as Candlelight Action filed a complaint against Choi, who also serves as Minister of Economy and Finance. Choi became acting president after the impeachment of both President Yoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The group accuses him of participating in a plot to commit rebellion and of conniving in the insurrection.
The special investigative unit of the National Office of Investigation reportedly booked Choi and others earlier in the day on treason-related charges.
It is alleged that Choi participated in a cabinet meeting to endorse the emergency martial law declared by Yoon on the night of December 3, which was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.
Police have reportedly summoned the impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo for questioning for a second time. Han, who also took part in the cabinet meeting, has become the first cabinet member to be interrogated twice by the police over the martial law imposition.
Han was impeached on Friday after refusing to appoint three constitutional court justices who would fill vacancies on the nine-member bench for Yoon’s impeachment trial.
The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed in the National Assembly on December 14 and delivered to the constitutional court for deliberation, which can take up to 180 days. During this period, Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended.
To remove Yoon from office, at least six out of the nine constitutional court justices are required to uphold the impeachment motion.
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South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok investigated by police
cgtn.com
