South Korean prosecutors have indicted ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of inciting a riot with his brief attempt to impose martial law on December 3, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the main opposition party, BTA reported.
The charges are unprecedented for a South Korean president and if found guilty, Yoon could face a prison sentence for issuing the shocking martial law decree that was intended to ban political and parliamentary activity and impose controls on the media.
His actions have sparked a wave of political turmoil in Asia's fourth-largest economy, which is also a key U.S. ally, with parliament voting to impeach both the prime minister and himself. was also temporarily suspended from office, and a number of high-ranking military officials were charged for their role in the alleged mutiny, Reuters notes.
The prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last week, the High-Level Corruption Investigation Service recommended that Yun, who was removed from office on December 14 after an impeachment vote, be indicted.
In recent days, the court has twice rejected the prosecution's request to extend his detention while further investigation is underway, but with the indictment filed today, the prosecution has again requested that Yun be kept in custody, local media reported.
However, the Seoul Central District Court rejected the prosecution's request, saying there were no "substantial reasons" for prosecutors to continue the investigation after receiving evidence from the High-Level Corruption Investigation Service, Yonhap reported a few days ago.
During a hearing before the Constitutional Court last week in Yun's impeachment case, his lawyers said that he had never did not intend to impose full martial law, but wanted the measure to serve only as a warning to break the political deadlock, Reuters notes. In parallel with the criminal trial, the Constitutional Court will determine whether to remove Yun from office or restore his powers, having a period of 180 days from his impeachment.