According to the South Korean agency Yonhap, Yoon is accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Young-hyun and others to incite an uprising on December 3 by imposing unconstitutional and illegal martial law. He also deployed military forces to parliament, attempting to prevent lawmakers from voting to repeal martial law.
Additionally, Yoon is accused of planning to arrest and detain key political figures, including the Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik and heads of opposition parties, as well as officials from the election oversight service.
The charge was brought just a day before the end of Yoon's detention period, after he was detained by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on January 15. The office handed the case over to the prosecution last week, as it does not have the authority to charge the president.
Prosecutors investigating the case stated that they reviewed all the evidence and, based on a comprehensive analysis, concluded that charging the defendant is appropriate.
However, now with only two days left before the end of Yoon's detention period, prosecutors must prove his guilt in court without the ability to question him directly, as the court rejected their requests.
Yoon was also accused of abuse of power, but this charge was dropped because the law grants the sitting president immunity from charges except for rebellion or insurrection.
In response to the prosecution's actions, the presidential office condemned the indictment, calling it illegal and fraudulent. The ruling party "People Power" supported this position, stating that the prosecution will ultimately bear responsibility for both the legal and political consequences of its actions.
Photo: Yonhap