Investigators Seek Indictment of Impeached South Korean Leader for Insurrection, Abuse of Power
South Korea’s anti-corruption officials have requested that prosecutors indict impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for insurrection and abuse of power following his controversial attempt to declare martial law in December 2024.
On Thursday, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), a key agency tasked with investigating top government officials, named Yoon as the ringleader of an insurrection that also implicated his defense chief at the time, Kim Yong-Hyun.
Yoon’s impeachment on December 14, 2024, followed his attempted declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024—an action that caused nationwide shock, even though it was quickly overturned by parliament within hours. His short-lived decision to impose martial law was seen as a grave overreach of power.
The CIO, established in 2021, is an independent anti-graft body designed to investigate top officials, including the president and his family members. However, the office has no authority to prosecute and can only refer its findings to prosecutors for further legal action.
Yoon is currently detained pending investigations. His detention, which began after his impeachment, is expected to conclude by January 28, 2025, though authorities anticipate prosecutors will request an extension for another 10 days to continue their inquiry before formal charges are brought against the former leader.
The CIO’s investigation is part of a broader crackdown, which has already led to the indictment of Kim Yong-Hyun (Yoon’s former defense minister) and senior officials from several national agencies, including the Capital Defense Command, Defense Counterintelligence Command, Seoul police, and the National Police Commissioner.
Despite repeated summonses, Yoon has refused to cooperate with the CIO investigators. He has not responded to their questions or provided testimony during the ongoing investigation. The refusal to speak has added to the political and legal tensions surrounding his impeachment and arrest.
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, while political observers are keenly watching how this case unfolds, especially considering its potential to reshape South Korea’s political landscape.
