Deposed South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been charged with rebellion after attempting to declare martial law in December.
His ill-fated attempt to impose military rule plunged the country into an unprecedented political crisis, and he became the first president in South Korean history to be accused of a crime.
The indictment comes after a Seoul court rejected a request to extend Yoon’s detention on Saturday, meaning prosecutors must decide whether to charge or release him before Monday.
“The punishment of the rebel leader finally begins now,” Han Min-soo, spokesman for the main opposition Democratic Party, said at a news conference.
Separately, the Constitutional Court began deliberations on whether to formally remove Yoon as president or reinstate him.
The deposed president has largely refused to cooperate with Criminal investigation Regarding the declaration of martial law.
Yoon is scheduled to stand trial along with his former defense minister and senior military commanders accused of helping him plan and carry out the attempt to seize total power.
In an unprecedented televised announcement on December 3, Yoon said he would resort to martial law to protect the country from “anti-state” forces sympathetic to North Korea.
At the time, the embattled leader was deadlocked over a budget bill, roiled by corruption scandals, and several of his ministers were under investigation.
The army announced the suspension of all parliamentary activities and sought to impose controls on the media.
Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung urged people to protest in front of the National Assembly and asked his fellow lawmakers to vote immediately to repeal the order.
Less than two hours after Yoon’s announcement, a combined 190 lawmakers — including some from the president’s party — voted unanimously to block it.
Soldiers armed with rifles were seen entering the parliament building through broken windows as a dramatic confrontation broke out.
Thousands of civilians gathered in front of the council and tried to prevent the soldiers.
Yoon was impeached by Parliament and suspended from his duties on December 14.
This issue sparked the worst political crisis in South Korea in decades and sparked a state of polarization in the country.
Many of his hardline supporters gathered around him. Tens of thousands gathered on Friday to protest, demanding his release and return to his position.
If Yoon is removed from office, a presidential election will be held within 60 days.
The Attorney General’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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