The prosecution now has 11 days to decide whether or not to launch the requested prosecution. Rebellion is a crime punishable by death.
Accused of having “abused his authority”
On December 3, the conservative leader stunned South Korea by suddenly imposing martial law and sending the army to parliament to try to muzzle him. He reversed course a few hours later, following a vote by deputies gathered urgently and under pressure from demonstrators. Eleven days later, Yoon Suk-yeol was seized from power by the National Assembly, which adopted an impeachment motion against him, now being examined by the Constitutional Court.
After resisting an initial raid on the orders of the authorities, Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested and detained on January 15. An unprecedented fact for a titular South Korean head of state, which he officially remains until the decision of the Constitutional Court.
In the findings of its investigation, the IOC said Yoon Suk-yeol had “abused his authority forcing police officers from the National Assembly Guard Unit and martial law forces to perform tasks beyond their duties.” obligations”.
On the night of December 3, Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly ordered the army to storm parliament and prevent lawmakers from voting on a resolution calling for the lifting of martial law. According to South Korean investigators, Yoon Suk-yeol also “obstructed the exercise of lawmakers’ right to demand the lifting of martial law.”
-A dismissal examined by the Constitutional Court
Yoon Suk-yeol denies having ordered the army to “take out” MPs from parliament to prevent them from voting against martial law. He and his legal team are trying to defend the idea that the declaration of martial law was necessary in the face of electoral fraud, the opposition having won hands down the legislative election of April 2024. With an overwhelming majority at stake. in parliament.
In pre-trial detention, Yoon Suk-yeol does not recognize the legality of the criminal investigation and promised to “fight to the end”, haranguing his supporters through letters sent via his lawyers.
For its part, the Constitutional Court must decide by mid-June whether it confirms the dismissal of the conservative leader or whether it reinstates him in his functions. In the event of impeachment, a new presidential election must be organized within 60 days.
The prolonged crisis pushed the Central Bank to lower its economic growth forecast for 2025 on Monday to 1.6%-1.7%. Already in the fourth quarter of 2024, GDP growth in Asia’s fourth-largest economy has slowed to 0.1%, its lowest rate of the year.
