Seoul, Jan 23 (IANS) – South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has transferred its investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s alleged attempt to declare martial law to the prosecution, requesting his indictment on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
The CIO, which lacks the authority to indict a sitting president, handed over a substantial case file to the prosecution, totaling over 30,000 pages spread across 69 volumes. This move comes after a protracted investigation in which President Yoon has refused to cooperate.
Deputy Chief of the CIO, Lee Jae-seung, stated that the agency faced repeated defiance from President Yoon, who has been uncooperative despite the gravity of the charges against him. “Rather than continue to try questioning him, it would be more effective for the prosecution to combine the investigation records and determine the truth behind the incident,” Lee said during a press briefing.
President Yoon is accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to initiate an insurrection by declaring martial law on December 3. Additionally, he faces allegations of abusing his authority by deploying troops to the National Assembly in an attempt to prevent lawmakers from voting down the decree.
Yoon is currently detained at the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, located south of Seoul, while his impeachment is under review by the Constitutional Court. If the court upholds the impeachment, it could lead to a snap presidential election within 60 days. Should the court dismiss the impeachment, Yoon will be reinstated.
The CIO’s investigation has thus far been hindered by Yoon’s refusal to comply with orders to appear for questioning, having only been questioned once on the day of his arrest last week, when he invoked his right to remain silent. Investigators have struggled to secure his cooperation and force him to attend further interrogations.
The prosecution is now expected to apply for an extension of Yoon’s arrest and proceed with further questioning, with a potential indictment anticipated around February 5.
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