South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has been indicted on charges of insurrection following his attempt to declare martial law in December.
His attempt to impose military rule plunged the country into an unprecedented political dilemma, making him the first sitting president in the history of South Korea to be indicted with a crime.
This indictment followed a court in Seol’s dismissal of a request to extend Yoon’s detention. This meant the prosecutors had to choose whether to charge or release him.
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The legal team of Yoon criticised the indictment and pledged to expose any “illegalities in the probe.”
“The prosecution has made a grave mistake, reducing itself to being the indictment arm of the CIO and a tool of political interests,” Yoon’s lawyers said.
In South Korea, insurrection is punishable by life imprisonment or death. However, the latter is unlikely, as the country has not carried out executions in decades. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court has begun considerations on whether to formally dismiss Yoon as President or reinstate him.
The impeached President has also refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation over his act of imposing martial law.
Yoon is set to stand trial along with his former Defence minister and senior military commanders, accused of providing him assistance in his plan and carrying out the attempt to seize entire power.
In case of Yoon’s removal from office, a presidential election would be held within 60 days.
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