South Korean President Faces Indictment for Martial Law Declaration

South Korea's anti-corruption agency has requested prosecutors indict President Yoon Suk Yeol for insurrection and abuse of power following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) transferred the case to prosecutors, as the agency lacks prosecution authority.

Yoon, detained since January 15, is accused of orchestrating an insurrection and obstructing others' rights. The CIO alleges Yoon's actions shocked the nation and insists prosecutors take over the investigation for efficiency, citing his refusal to cooperate with the proceedings. Deputy CIO Chief Lee Jae-seung criticized Yoon’s lack of cooperation, which includes rejecting summons and refusing questioning.

The CIO, established in 2021 to investigate high-ranking officials, cannot prosecute a sitting president and relies on prosecutors for formal charges. The agency expects Yoon’s detention, currently set to end on January 28, to be extended as prosecutors prepare charges.

Yoon’s lawyers argue the CIO lacks authority to investigate insurrection cases and claim the investigation should wait for the Constitutional Court's decision on his impeachment trial. They have vowed to hold the CIO accountable for what they call an illegal investigation, urging prosecutors to adhere strictly to legal procedures.

This unprecedented case marks the first arrest of a sitting South Korean president, adding tension to the nation’s political landscape. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office has declined to comment on the matter. Yoon, a former top prosecutor, now faces an uncertain future, with prosecutors from his former domain tasked with handling his case.