In a significant development, South Korea's anti-corruption agency announced on Thursday that it has decided to refer President Yoon Suk-yeol's \"insurrection case\" to the prosecution. This move comes amid escalating political tensions and marks an unprecedented moment in the nation's history.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) resolved to transfer the case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, urging an indictment of the president. The CIO, lacking the authority to indict the sitting president, deemed this action necessary to advance the legal proceedings.
President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, becoming the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. Shortly after, on January 19, a Seoul court sanctioned a warrant extending his detention for up to 20 days, including the initial arrest period.
The CIO and the prosecution have agreed to conduct a joint investigation into the \"insurrection\" charges, scheduling separate ten-day questioning sessions with the impeached president. Despite repeated requests from the CIO, President Yoon has declined to appear for questioning.
The impeachment motion against President Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on December 14 last year. The motion was subsequently submitted to the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to deliberate. During this period, President Yoon's powers are suspended.
The charges stem from allegations that President Yoon, identified by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader, declared martial law on the night of December 3. This declaration was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later.
The prosecution is widely expected to indict President Yoon on \"insurrection\" and other charges around February 5. The nation watches closely as these historic proceedings unfold, signaling a potential turning point in South Korea's political landscape.
(With input from Xinhua)
Reference(s):
S. Korea's CIO decides to refer president Yoon's case to prosecution
cgtn.com
