South Korean President Charged with Insurrection After Martial Law Attempt.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)—South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol faces charges of insurrection. In December, he tried to declare martial law, which caused a major political crisis in the country.
Yoon is the first sitting South Korean president to be charged with a crime. Prosecutors had to decide whether to charge or release him by Monday after a court rejected a request to keep him in detention longer.
The opposition Democratic Party said, "The punishment of the insurrection leader begins finally." Party spokesman Han Min-soo made this statement at a press conference.
The Constitutional Court is deciding whether to remove Yoon as president for good. It could also reinstate him. Yoon has mostly refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation.
Yoon will go on trial with his former defense minister and top military leaders. They are accused of helping him plan and execute the attempt to take total control.
On December 3, Yoon said on TV that he was using martial law. He claimed it was to protect the country from "anti-state" forces that supported North Korea.
At the time, Yoon was struggling with a budget bill, corruption scandals, and investigations of his cabinet. The military then halted all parliamentary activity and tried to control media outlets.
Opposition leader Lee Myung called for protests at the National Assembly and asked lawmakers to quickly vote to cancel the order.
Less than two hours later, 190 lawmakers, including some from Yoon's own party, met and voted to block martial law.
Soldiers with rifles entered parliament by breaking windows. This led to a dramatic showdown. Thousands of people gathered outside to try to stop the soldiers.
Parliament impeached Yoon and suspended him from his duties on December 14. The events have caused South Korea's worst political crisis in a long time. The country is deeply divided.
Many of Yoon's strong supporters have rallied around him. Tens of thousands protested on Friday, demanding his release and return to office.
If Yoon is removed as president, a new election will be held within 60 days. The prosecutor's office did not immediately comment.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)—South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol faces charges of insurrection. In December, he tried to declare martial law, which caused a major political crisis in the country.
Yoon is the first sitting South Korean president to be charged with a crime. Prosecutors had to decide whether to charge or release him by Monday after a court rejected a request to keep him in detention longer.
The opposition Democratic Party said, "The punishment of the insurrection leader begins finally." Party spokesman Han Min-soo made this statement at a press conference.
The Constitutional Court is deciding whether to remove Yoon as president for good. It could also reinstate him. Yoon has mostly refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation.
Yoon will go on trial with his former defense minister and top military leaders. They are accused of helping him plan and execute the attempt to take total control.
On December 3, Yoon said on TV that he was using martial law. He claimed it was to protect the country from "anti-state" forces that supported North Korea.
At the time, Yoon was struggling with a budget bill, corruption scandals, and investigations of his cabinet. The military then halted all parliamentary activity and tried to control media outlets.
Opposition leader Lee Myung called for protests at the National Assembly and asked lawmakers to quickly vote to cancel the order.
Less than two hours later, 190 lawmakers, including some from Yoon's own party, met and voted to block martial law.
Soldiers with rifles entered parliament by breaking windows. This led to a dramatic showdown. Thousands of people gathered outside to try to stop the soldiers.
Parliament impeached Yoon and suspended him from his duties on December 14. The events have caused South Korea's worst political crisis in a long time. The country is deeply divided.
Many of Yoon's strong supporters have rallied around him. Tens of thousands protested on Friday, demanding his release and return to office.
If Yoon is removed as president, a new election will be held within 60 days. The prosecutor's office did not immediately comment.
