Korea: ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol charged for “abuse of power”

This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:

Hibapress

Former Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was charged Thursday for “abuse of power” in connection with his attempt to establish martial law last December, the prosecution announced, adding a new charge against the fallen leader, already prosecuted for insurrection.

The public prosecutor said that “additional investigations for abuse of power” have led to this additional indictment, without however requiring the detention of the ex-head of state, dismissed in early April.

Prosecutors initially dismissed the accusation of abuse of power due to presidential immunity. However, the dismissal of Mr. Yoon has raised this legal obstacle and enabled the prosecution, reported the Yonhap agency.

An official of the prosecution, quoted by the agency, confirmed that the prosecutors have sufficient evidence to charge it of abuse of power.

During the night of December 3 to 4, Mr. Yoon had tried to decree the martial law, ordering the army to block the parliament dominated by the opposition. This measure was rejected by an emergency vote of the National Assembly and canceled after only six hours.

Destined by the Constitutional Court on April 4, Mr. Yoon must now be explained to the criminal. Despite the heavy penalties incurred, he appeared free, his pre -trial detention having been canceled for procedural defect on March 8.

If he is convicted, Mr. Yoon will become the third former president of Korea to be sentenced, after Chun Doo-Hwan and Roh Tae-Woo, both sentenced in 1996 for “insurrection” following a coup d’etat perpetrated in 1979.

Korea will hold an early presidential election on June 3.