South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for Senior Officials (CIO) on January 23 requested the prosecutor’s office to prosecute impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for allegedly leading a rebellion and abusing power. , according to Yonhap news agency. The case was transferred to the prosecutor’s office because the CIO does not have the authority to prosecute the president.
Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol at the impeachment trial on January 21 in Seoul
Mr. Yoon faces accusations of colluding with then-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to rebel by declaring martial law on December 3, 2024. He was accused of abusing his power when he dispatched soldiers to parliament to prevent lawmakers from voting to lift martial law, and hindering others from exercising their rights.
The CIO was established in 2021 as an independent anti-corruption agency, tasked with investigating high-ranking officials such as the president and leadership families. The CIO led the joint investigation team with the police and the Ministry of National Defense while the prosecution also conducted its own investigation of Mr. Yoon.
However, with limited investigative and prosecutorial powers, the CIO does not have the authority to prosecute the president and must transfer the case to the prosecution for the next step. Mr. Yoon’s lawyers repeatedly argued that the CIO did not have the right to investigate allegations of rebellion and handle this case.
What happened in the detention facility of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol?
Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol is being held at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang city south of the capital. The prosecution has 11 days to make a decision to prosecute.
The Korean Constitutional Court is also considering impeaching him over the declaration of martial law. If the court upholds the parliament’s decision, Mr. Yoon will be deposed. On the contrary, he will be restored to his position.
