Breakingbreaking,
The South Korean president does not have immunity from charges of insurrection, which is punishable by life imprisonment or death.
South Korean prosecutors accused President Yoon Suk Yeol of leading a rebellion by imposing martial law on Dec. 3.
“The prosecutor’s office has decided to indict Yoon Suk Yeol, who is facing charges of being the leader of the establishment,” Democratic Party spokesman Han Min-Soo said at a press conference on Sunday.
“The punishment of the ringleaders now begins finally.”
Uprising is one of the few criminal charges from which the South Korean president does not have immunity. It is punishable by life imprisonment or death, although South Korea has not executed anyone in decades.
Anti-corruption investigators last week recommended the charge closed Yoonwho was obstructed by parliament and suspended from his duties due to the incident.
Yoon’s lawyers have urged prosecutors to immediately release him from what they call illegal detention.
According to a criminal investigation, he has been in custody since becoming the first sitting president to be arrested on January 15.
Yoon and his lawyers argued at a Constitutional Court hearing last week at his trial that he never intended to fully impose martial law, but only meant the measures as a warning to break the political deadlock.
In parallel with his criminal proceedings, the top court will determine whether to remove Yoon from office or restore his presidential powers, with 180 days to decide.
South Korea’s parliament impeached Yoon on December 14, making him the second conservative president to be impeached in the country.
Yoon lifted his martial law about six hours after lawmakers from the main opposition party, facing off in parliament, voted in the decree.
Soldiers equipped with rifles, body armor and night vision equipment were seen entering the parliament building through broken windows during the dramatic clash.
