South Korean president booked as suspect in treason case, prosecution says
SEOUL – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been booked as a suspect on charges of treason, the prosecution said Sunday, according to Yonhap news agency.
“Numerous complaints have been submitted, and an investigation is underway in accordance with the process,” said Park Se-hyun, who leads a special investigation into Yoon’s short-lived declaration of martial law last week, adding that prosecutors are investigating the charges of treason and abuse of power against Yoon.
Yoon survived an impeachment vote in the opposition-led parliament late on Saturday, prompted by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law on Tuesday, but the leader of his own party said the president would effectively be excluded from his duties before eventually stepping down.
That proposal, which appeared to win tacit approval from the Yoon-appointed prime minister on Sunday, drew condemnation from opposition lawmakers who said it was another unconstitutional power grab to delegate authority without resignation or impeachment.
Earlier on Sunday, South Korean prosecutors detained the former defence minister, accusing him of recommending last week’s brief but dramatic imposition of martial law to President Yoon Suk Yeol, making him the first figure detained over the case.
