South Korean investigators demanded prosecutors to indict country’s detained President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of rebellion, abuse of power, and obstructing parliament.
The corruption investigation office for high-ranking officials (CIO) declared the move on Thursday, pointing out that Yoon undermined the constitution through his brief imposition of martial law last month.
Last year on 3 December, Yoon had declared martial law, deploying troops and police to block access to the national assembly.
Lee Jae-seung, CIO’s deputy chief prosecutor, accused Yoon of igniting a “riot” with the misuse of military forces for illegitimate purposes. He further added that Yoon tried to obstruct parliament’s ability to vote on the emergency decree.
However, despite heavy military presence, lawmakers succeeded to enter the assembly chamber and unanimously voted to revoke the martial law declaration, following which, Yoon was impeached, suspending his presidential powers.
The constitutional court is currently deciding on whether he should be permanently removed from office or restore him back.
Yoon defended his actions, claiming the martial law decree was intended to send a warning to the opposition-controlled parliament for obstructing his agenda, rather than disrupting its work.
However, the CIO, alongside police and military investigators, took him into custody last week after he avoided questioning for weeks and resorted to presidential security forces to disrupt initial detention attempts.
“As you know, despite facing a nationally grave allegation as ringleader of a rebellion, the suspect has been constantly maintaining uncooperative stance and defying criminal judicial proceedings,” said Lee Jae-seung.
Yoon’s legal team has accused investigators of violating his rights by preventing him from contacting his family and pressuring him to speak. They have labelled the investigation and his detention as unlawful. Yoon has declined to answer questions, citing his right to remain silent.
In his first appearance before the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, Yoon denied ordering the military to remove lawmakers from the National Assembly.
On the other hand, military commanders who carried out the deployment have testified that the orders were issued.
