In response to the emergency martial law incident, the special investigation headquarters formed by the South Korean prosecutors confirmed on December 8th that they have received multiple reports implicating Yoon Suk-yeol in cases related to insurrection. They are currently conducting an investigation according to procedures, stating that if reported or sued, even as a suspect, he will be officially registered.
Park Se-hyun, the head of the special investigation headquarters, answered media inquiries at a press conference on the 8th regarding whether the prosecutors have filed a case against Yoon Suk-yeol for insurrection. He mentioned that they have received numerous related reports and are conducting investigations following procedures. “If reported or sued, procedurally speaking, it is correct to (register as a suspect),” he clarified.
He also stated that the prosecutors have no intention of refraining from investigating this matter and will focus on probing allegations of abuse of power and insurrection. “Simply put, this incident involves public officials abusing their authority with the intention of causing chaos in the country’s constitutional order and inciting riots,” Park Se-hyun explained. From the perspective of the Prosecutor’s Office Act, the incident involving abuse of authority falls within the scope of criminal behavior directly related to the prosecutor’s investigation and can naturally be investigated.
Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the evening of the 3rd, leading to a confrontation between most parliamentary members opposing the move and the martial law troops stationed at the parliament building, during which clashes occurred involving parliamentary aides and other relevant individuals. Many ordinary citizens also gathered outside the parliament gates to protest.
Reportedly, in South Korea, cases of insurrection were previously investigated by the police, not the prosecutors, and there was a refusal to cooperate with the prosecutors on the search. Park Se-hyun mentioned that most individuals involved in this incident are related to the police, and the military inspection department is cooperating with the prosecutors in the investigation, emphasizing the legitimacy of the prosecution’s involvement in the investigation. On the 6th, South Korea established a special investigation headquarters comprising 20 prosecutors, 30 investigation officers, and additional personnel from the military inspection department to conduct the probe.
Park Se-hyun emphasized that in the case of this significant event affecting the entire nation, the prosecution will make every effort to leave no doubts unresolved and will conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with the law, regardless of the individuals’ positions within the hierarchy.
On December 3rd, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, sparking a series of political disputes, with the opposition parties and a large number of citizens calling for his resignation. On the 8th, Prime Minister Han Deok-soo and the leader of the ruling party, Han Dong-hoon, stated that Yoon Suk-yeol would not intervene in state affairs such as diplomacy before stepping down. However, the Speaker of the Parliament, Yoo Won-sik, indicated that the joint exercise of presidential powers by the Prime Minister and the ruling party is a clear violation of the constitution and should lead to an immediate cessation of presidential duties.
Currently, South Korea has Prime Minister Han Deok-soo and the ruling party representative holding weekly meetings to execute presidential duties in place of Yoon Suk-yeol. However, this action has been regarded as unconstitutional by the opposition party.