What are the Findings of the Special Counsel's Investigation into Yoon Suk Yeol's Martial Law?
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Key Takeaways
Seoul, December 14 (NationPress) A special counsel team is set to reveal this week the outcomes of its extensive investigation into charges of insurrection involving former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his brief declaration of martial law, as officials disclosed on Sunday.
Throughout the last six months, the team has formally indicted Yoon along with 23 other individuals for their suspected involvement in the martial law enacted in December 2024, collaborating with military prosecutors to charge three additional military personnel.
In total, investigators sought arrest warrants in 11 separate cases, with courts granting five of those requests, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Special counsel Cho Eun-seok is anticipated to present the findings on Monday, marking his first public address since the investigation commenced on June 18.
The former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun faced indictment just six days post the investigation's initiation, while Yoon was apprehended on July 10, approximately four months after his release from custody.
Although Yoon had previously been indicted by prosecutors on allegations of spearheading an insurrection via his martial law initiative, the special counsel has further accused him of aiding the enemy, alleging he ordered the deployment of drones to North Korea prior to the martial law declaration.
Yoon is also charged with abuse of power, with claims that his actions aimed to incite retaliation from North Korea, providing a rationale for declaring martial law.
Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min was indicted while in custody in August for allegedly ordering the suspension of utilities to media outlets.
Ex-National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Cho Tae-yong was arrested on charges of breaching NIS laws related to his suspected involvement in the martial law declaration.
However, requests for arrest warrants against other senior officials implicated in Yoon's martial law — including former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former ruling People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho, and former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae — were denied.