In a historic turn of events, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been indicted on charges of insurrection, marking the first time an incumbent leader has been formally arrested and put on trial while in office.
The prosecution's indictment, reported by multiple media outlets on Sunday, accuses President Yoon of orchestrating an unconstitutional declaration of martial law. Allegedly conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun—who was previously indicted and detained—Yoon is charged with plotting to deploy armed forces to the National Assembly.
The scandal unfolded when President Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of December 3, a move swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later. Following this, a motion to impeach the president was passed through the National Assembly on December 14 and submitted to the constitutional court for deliberation, during which Yoon's presidential powers have been suspended for up to 180 days.
After receiving the case from the anti-corruption agency, prosecutors twice sought to extend President Yoon's detention for further investigation. However, the Seoul Central District Court rejected these requests, expediting the process to bring him to trial. A separate Seoul court issued a warrant on January 19 to keep the president in custody for up to 20 days, including the arrest period.
President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, intensifying political tensions across the country. The trial is set to examine the alleged conspiracy and the implications of the attempted military intervention in South Korea's legislative body.
This unprecedented indictment has sent shockwaves through South Korea's political landscape, with citizens and international observers closely watching as the constitutional court deliberates the impeachment and the judicial process unfolds.
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South Korean prosecutors indict Yoon over insurrection charge
cgtn.com
