South Korea: Yoon’s Legal Team Files Insurrection Complaint Against Anti-Corruption Agency Leader and Others
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Synopsis
On January 16, 2024, the legal team of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol filed an insurrection complaint against officials involved in the investigation of his brief martial law declaration. The complaint targets the leaders of the police investigation and anti-corruption agencies for alleged illegal actions.
Key Takeaways
- Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol faces serious legal challenges.
- His lawyers filed an insurrection complaint against key officials.
- The allegations include illegal entry and detention.
- The Constitutional Court is reviewing his impeachment.
- Political uncertainty grips South Korea following martial law declaration.
Seoul, Jan 16 (NationPress) The legal team representing impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol submitted an insurrection complaint on Thursday against the chief of police investigations and the head of the anti-corruption agency, who are examining the President for his brief attempt at martial law.
The complaint has been lodged against Oh Dong-woon, director of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), and Woo Jong-soo, the National Office of Investigation chief, along with others, at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors office.
The lawyers allege that these officials illegally entered the presidential residence, which is protected as a military secret, and unlawfully detained the President, claiming this act amounts to insurrection, along with obstruction of official duties and a breach of military confidentiality.
“They deployed over 3,700 police personnel to forcefully enter the presidential residence and arrest the President, violating provisions of the criminal procedure law,” contended Yoon’s legal representatives.
The Constitutional Court initiated an impeachment trial on Tuesday to determine Yoon's future, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Earlier, a court in Seoul assessed the legality of the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, following a request from his lawyers after he was taken into custody for his brief martial law declaration on December 3, judicial sources indicated.
This legal review occurred a day after Yoon's lawyers submitted a petition to the Seoul Central District Court seeking to challenge his detention, which followed his questioning regarding the martial law declaration made on December 3.
The court has 48 hours to reach a verdict after reviewing the documents from investigators and conducting inquiries. If deemed unlawful, Yoon will be released from custody.
Meanwhile, South Korea has been engulfed in political turmoil after Yoon's short-lived martial law announcement on December 3, 2024, and his subsequent impeachment on December 14, 2024.
