South Korean prosecutors have charged President Yoon Suk-yeol with leading a rebellion following his brief declaration of a state of emergency on December 3, according to the country’s main opposition party.
“The prosecution has decided to charge Yoon Suk-yeol, who faces accusations of being the leader of a rebellion,” said Han Min-so, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, during a press conference.
“Punishing the leader of the rebellion finally begins.”
The indictment was also reported in South Korean media outlets.
Last week, anti-corruption investigators recommended charging the imprisoned Yoon, who was impeached by parliament and suspended from office over the incident.
His lawyers have called on prosecutors to immediately release him from what they claim is an unlawful detention.
Under criminal investigation, Yoon has been in custody since January 15, becoming the first sitting president in South Korea to be arrested.
Rebellion is one of the rare criminal offenses for which South Korean presidents do not have immunity. The punishment for rebellion could include a life sentence or the death penalty, although South Korea has not executed anyone in decades.
Yoon and his lawyers argued during last week’s Constitutional Court hearing as part of his impeachment process that he never intended to fully impose a state of emergency, but rather considered the measures as a warning to break the political deadlock.
Parallel to the criminal proceedings, South Korea’s highest court will decide whether to remove Yoon from office or restore his presidential powers, with a ruling expected within 180 days.
On December 14, parliament, dominated by the opposition, impeached Yoon, making him the second conservative president in South Korean history to face impeachment.
Yoon lifted the state of emergency after approximately six hours, when lawmakers from the main opposition party, confronted by soldiers in parliament, voted against the decree.
Soldiers, equipped with rifles, body armor, and night-vision gear, were seen entering the parliament building through broken windows during a dramatic clash.
