Martial law controversy: Here’s what you should know about the investigations facing South Korean President Yoon

SEOUL, Dec. 8 – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, several cabinet ministers, military commanders and police officials face criminal investigations over their failed attempt Tuesday to impose martial law.

Prosecutors, police and the Corruption Investigation Bureau for High-ranking Officials have launched investigations into Yoon and the officials, seeking to file charges of insurrection and abuse of power, among others.

Here’s what we know about the investigations so far:

South Korea’s army chief Gen. Park An-su listens to questions from lawmakers at a plenary session of the Defense Committee of the National Assembly, where an emergency question-and-answer session was held regarding the declaration of President Yoon Suk Yeol and the lifting of martial law, in Seoul on December 5, 2024. — Yonhap/AFP pic

Who is under investigation?

In addition to Yoon, his Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, now-former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and army chief Park An-su, who was named martial law commander, face investigations.

Others implicated in the case are the heads of the Capital Defense Command, the army’s Special Warfare Command and the Defense Counterintelligence Command, as well as six other military generals and several senior police officials, including the police chief. , accused of playing a role in the martial law plan.

Investigators have also submitted a request to the Ministry of Justice for a travel ban on Kim and the 10 military commanders.

Lawmakers line up to cast their votes at voting booths on proposed legislation to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of stock price manipulation involving the president’s wife during a plenary session for the impeachment vote on the president. President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul on December 7. , 2024. — Jeon Heon-kyun/Pool/AFP pic

What is the scale of the investigations?

The Supreme Prosecutor’s Office has set up a special investigation office to examine the case for the first time since it investigated a 2016 corruption scandal involving then-President Park Geun-hye, who was impeached and ultimately ousted, the agency reported Friday. Yonhap news.

The Defense Ministry said military prosecutors would also be sent to that team, and Yonhap said it would include more than a dozen investigators.

The head of investigations at the national police agency also confirmed the start of his investigation at a parliamentary hearing on Thursday, and Yonhap said his team would include about 120 officers and investigators.

The Corruption Investigation Bureau for Senior Officials said it had opened a separate investigation after receiving complaints about police chief Cho Ji-ho and other senior police officials.

The main opposition Democratic Party on Friday called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the case, and a bill could be put to a vote next week. If approved, the special counsel would lead a collective investigation with support from other agencies.

South Korea’s Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun’s name plaque is seen below the podium during the plenary session of the National Defense Committee at the National Assembly in Seoul on December 5, 2024. Kim resigned today, said the president’s office, after the turmoil caused. by President Yoon Suk-yeol’s brief imposition of martial law. — Yonhap/AFP photo

What positions are being sought?

The officials face possible charges of insurrection, abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of their rights by others.

If convicted, the crime of leading an insurrection is punishable by death or life imprisonment, with or without prison labor. For those who participated in an insurrection plot or engaged in other essential activities, punishment could range from death to life imprisonment and imprisonment without prison labor for at least five years. People who simply participated in the plot or violence face prison sentences, with or without prison labor, of less than five years.

Abuse of authority carries a prison sentence of less than five years or fines of up to 10 million won (RM31,186), while obstruction of other people’s rights is punishable by a prison sentence of less than five years or fines. up to 7 million won. .

South Korea last handed down a death sentence in 2016, but has not executed anyone since 1997. – Reuters