Seoul, South Korea — South Korean police have booked Acting President Choi Sang-mok on charges related to insurrection, following the declaration of martial law by the impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. The move comes amid escalating political turmoil in the country.
Choi, who also serves as the Minister of Economy and Finance, assumed the role of acting president after both President Yoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo were impeached. A civic group known as Candlelight Action filed a complaint against Choi, accusing him of participating in a plot to commit rebellion and of conniving with the insurrection.
The Special Investigative Unit of the National Office of Investigation reportedly booked Choi and other officials earlier today on treason-related charges. The allegations center around Choi’s participation in a cabinet meeting that endorsed the emergency martial law declared by President Yoon on December 3. The martial law was revoked by the National Assembly just hours later.
Police have also requested that impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo appear for questioning for a second time, making him the first cabinet member to be interrogated twice over the martial law imposition. Han was impeached last Friday after refusing to appoint three Constitutional Court justices who are crucial for President Yoon’s impeachment trial.
The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon on December 14, suspending his presidential powers while the Constitutional Court deliberates the case for up to 180 days. To permanently remove Yoon from office, at least six out of the nine Constitutional Court justices must uphold the impeachment motion.
The unfolding events have plunged South Korea into a political crisis, with leadership uncertainty and legal battles dominating the national conversation. Citizens and international observers are closely watching how the situation will develop in the coming weeks and months.
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South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok investigated by police
cgtn.com
