[Anchor]
The Special Investigation Headquarters for Martial Law Prosecution has indicted President Yoon Seok-yeol on charges of being the leader of an insurrection.
Let’s connect with our field reporter for more details.
[Reporter]
Yes, the prosecution has decided to bring President Yoon to trial while he remains in custody.
This marks the first time in constitutional history that a sitting president has been indicted.
It’s been 54 days since President Yoon declared martial law on December 3rd last year.
The special investigation department received this case from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials on the 23rd and transferred six cases from the police the following day.
The prosecution believed further investigation was necessary before filing charges, so they requested an extension of custody from the Seoul Central District Court on both the 23rd and yesterday. However, both requests were denied.
Consequently, they announced that they “indicted the defendant on charges of leading an insurrection before the initial custody period expired.”
The prosecution still sees a risk of President Yoon destroying evidence and stated, “We have decided to indict him only on charges of leading an insurrection, which is not covered under the sitting president’s immunity from prosecution.”
The indictment has grown to over 100 pages, incorporating findings from the special investigation team in addition to the outlines of existing co-defendants’ indictments.
Although an in-person interrogation of President Yoon was not conducted, the prosecution reviewed evidence from earlier investigations into co-conspirators, such as former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyeon and military leaders, and evidence sent over by the police, concluding that formal charges were appropriate.
[Anchor]
With the investigation into President Yoon concluded, where will the investigations by various agencies head next?
[Reporter]
The special investigation team established to investigate the martial law situation will likely remain active for the time being.
This is because they need to maintain the prosecution of the currently indicted cases and continue investigations into remaining ones.
The focus of the special team is directed towards the Ministry of National Defense’s investigation office and the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters, which are suspected of involvement in operating ‘politician arrest teams’ during the martial law.
The special team considers the operation of these arrest teams as crucial evidence of insurrection and conducted searches at the Ministry of National Defense investigation office on the 23rd and 24th.
Additionally, the team searched the mobile phones of four senior officials at the National Investigation Headquarters, including Director U Jong-su and Coordination Officer Yoon Seung-young.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials is expected to expedite its investigation into former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min.
Former Minister Lee is accused of participating in a cabinet meeting prior to the martial law declaration to support the insurrection and instructing power and water cuts to certain media outlets through the National Fire Agency.
This has been a report from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.
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