South Korean investigators have referred Yoon’s case to prosecutors to prosecute

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s anti-corruption agency, which is leading a criminal investigation into President Yun Suk-yeol’s brief declaration of martial law, said it would transfer the case to the prosecutor’s office for prosecution.

The Corruption Investigations Office (CIO), which does not have the power to prosecute the president, wants prosecutors to file charges against him for abusing his power and obstructing others from using it. He defined the rights in the statement.

Yoon has been in custody since last week as investigators investigate his attempt to impose martial law on December 3, a move that shocked the country and was overturned by parliament within hours.

The CIO launched an independent anti-corruption agency in 2021 to investigate high-ranking officials, including the president and his family, and led a joint team that includes the police and the defense ministry, while prosecutors have been conducting their own investigations.

But with limited powers of investigation and prosecution, the CIO does not have the power to prosecute the president and must refer any case to the attorney general’s office for further action.

Yun’s lawyers have repeatedly argued that the CIO does not have the authority to handle the case because the law provides for a broad list of senior officials and violations it can investigate, but makes no mention of riots.