Prosecutors have confirmed that President Yoon Suk-yeol is under investigation as a suspect in connection with insurrection charges related to the recently declared martial law.
Park Se-hyun, head of the special investigation unit handling the Dec. 3 martial law case under the Prosecution Service, said during a Dec. 8 press briefing that Yoon has been formally listed as a suspect. “Multiple complaints have been filed regarding the president,” Park said. “Procedurally, being named as a suspect is accurate when there are such filings.”
Asked whether President Yoon could face an emergency arrest, Park declined to comment on the timeline. “I cannot disclose specifics about our investigative plans at this stage,” he said, adding, “However, we will conduct the investigation strictly according to the law and principles, regardless of the status or rank of those involved.”
In response to criticism that insurrection charges fall outside the prosecution’s jurisdiction, Park said the investigation would address both insurrection and abuse of power allegations. “There is no plan to omit or disregard the insurrection charges,” he said.
Park outlined the basis for the charges, explaining, “This case fundamentally involves allegations that a public official abused their authority to incite a rebellion aimed at disrupting constitutional order. These elements meet the criteria for both abuse of power and insurrection.”
He cited legal precedent to justify the prosecution’s involvement. “Under the Prosecutors’ Office Act, prosecutors are empowered to investigate crimes directly linked to abuse of power. It is clear that insurrection and abuse of power are interconnected in this case,” Park said.
Park also addressed potential collaboration with law enforcement agencies, stating, “We are willing to join a joint investigation with the police if they propose it,” adding that the prosecution had previously suggested such cooperation. He noted that the military and police are central to the case, saying, “The military prosecution is already conducting a joint investigation with us, and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a key figure, is in our custody and under investigation.”
Regarding police involvement, Park explained, “The police are primarily handling matters related to their jurisdiction, but cases involving criminal allegations will need to be transferred to the prosecution for further action.”
He emphasized that the priority lies in uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability, rather than which agency leads the initial investigation. “Swift and thorough investigations, along with strict accountability, are what truly matter,” Park said. “We look forward to continued discussions with the police to identify the best approach for ensuring investigative efficiency and safeguarding the rights of those involved.”
