Commentary – What do we know about the investigation against South Korean President Yoon? Via Reuters

Written by Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, several cabinet ministers, military chiefs and police officers are facing criminal investigations over the president’s botched attempt on Dec. 3 to impose martial law. .

Prosecutors, police and the Office of Corruption Investigation for Senior Officials have all launched investigations into Yoon and officials, seeking to pursue charges of treason and abuse of power, among others.

Here’s what we know about the research so far:

WHO IS UNDER INVESTIGATION?

In addition to Yoon, his former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, former interior minister Lee Sang-min and army chief Park An-su, who was named military chief of staff, face research.

Others involved in the case include the commanders of the Capital Defense Command, the military’s Special Warfare Command and the Defense Counterintelligence Command, as well as many other military commanders and senior police officers, including state and federal police chiefs. Seoul, accused of playing. part in the military law project.

The main opposition Democratic Party said last week that it has also filed a complaint against acting President Han Duck-soo to be included in the investigation into the failure to prevent Yoon’s trial by martial law.

Yoon, Kim, Lee, national and Seoul police chiefs and more than 10 military commanders have been banned from leaving the country.

A joint investigation team from the police, defense ministry and the Corruption Investigation Office for Senior Officials (CIO) plans to call Yoon in for questioning at 10 a.m. (0100 GMT) on Wednesday, after he resisted subpoenas. prosecutor at the weekend. .

Kim has refused to attend prosecutor’s questions, after being summoned at least three times since his arrest on December 8, according to the Yonhap news agency.

A joint investigation team was trying to raid Yoon’s office on Tuesday, after previous attempts by prosecutors failed after the presidential security service blocked their door, Yonhap said.

There have been attacks on the security ministry and various military and police offices in recent days. Several military commanders were arrested, including the commanders of the Army, Defense Counterintelligence Command and Capital Defense Command.

WHO VISITS THE INVESTIGATIONS?

The Supreme Prosecutor’s Office has set up a special investigative unit to look into the case for the first time since it investigated the 2016 corruption scandal surrounding former President Park Geun-hye, who was impeached and eventually ousted from office. .

The group has about 50 prosecutors and investigators, and about a dozen military prosecutors are also registered, said its head Park Se-hyun.

The national police agency also confirmed the launch of its own investigation, which Yonhap said involved 150 other officers and investigators.

The CIO separately opened an investigation after receiving complaints about national police chief Cho Ji-ho and other senior police officials.

The joint three-person panel came amid growing concerns about signs of competition among regulatory agencies and calls for joint efforts to prevent mergers and strengthen enforcement.

CIO chief Oh Dong-woon said on Wednesday that discussions with prosecutors were continuing on how to consolidate their work but that any quick decision seemed unlikely.

Parliament passed regulations last week for the appointment of special advisers to lead joint investigations with the support of other ministries.

WHAT FEES ARE REQUIRED?

Officials face possible charges of sedition, abuse of power and obstruction of justice.

If convicted, the crime of leading a riot is punishable by death or life imprisonment, with or without prison service. For those who were involved in a treasonous project or engaged in other important activities the punishment could range from death to life imprisonment to imprisonment without hard labor for at least five years. Persons involved in conspiracy or violence face imprisonment, with or without prison labor, for a period of not less than five years.

Abuse of authority is punishable by imprisonment of less than five years or fines of up to 10 million ($7,000), while obstructing the rights of others is punishable by imprisonment of less than five years or fines up to 7 million.

South Korea last carried out the death penalty in 2016, but has not executed anyone since 1997.