South Korea’s President Yoon Charged With Insurrection

South Korean prosecutors have accused the suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol on insurrection charges over his brief declaration of martial law.

Yoon attempted to impose martial law in early December, a move that plunged the country into political turmoil and for many brought back painful memories of the country’s authoritarian past.

The president justified the declaration by accusing the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of anti-state activities but it was swiftly overturned by parliament.

Yoon – who denies wrongdoing – was then voted to be impeached by parliament and has been in custody since being arrested last week.

Prosecutors announced the charges on Sunday evening local time, making Yoon the first sitting president in the country’s history to be indicted.

“Based on the investigation so far, there are no grounds to consider any change to the arrest warrant issued against the president,” prosecutors said in a statement Sunday, adding that “sufficient evidence exists to substantiate the charges.”

During parliamentary hearings, Yoon’s commanders testified that they received direct orders to break down the doors of the parliament to “drag out” lawmakers sitting inside. Yoon has denied this.

Shortly after declaring martial law, Yoon allegedly told the first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, Hong Jang-won, he should take the opportunity to “arrest” a list of 14 political and legal figures including the opposition leader and “clean everything up.”

Yoon allegedly said he would give the intelligence service authority to launch a counter-intelligence probe and “support it with funds, personnel unconditionally.”

Details were first revealed to reporters by lawmakers briefed about the conversation, and Hong confirmed to CNN the veracity of the content.

The move is the latest development in a political saga kicked off by the president’s martial law declaration.

CNN/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma