South Korea on Thursday indicted former acting president Choi Sang-mok in connection with the brief martial law declared by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024, expanding the list of senior officials facing legal action over the crisis.
Choi was one of three top officials who temporarily led the government after Yoon was impeached and removed over the controversial martial law order, which sparked widespread political unrest. Yoon is currently in jail and on trial for rebellion, while dozens of his officials and military commanders have been arrested, indicted, or are under investigation.
An independent investigation team led by special counsel Cho Eun-suk charged Choi with dereliction of duty for failing to fully restore the nine-member Constitutional Court while it reviewed Yoon’s impeachment. Prosecutors say Choi filled two vacant seats but left a third unfilled, citing political gridlock, even though a complete court could have strengthened Yoon’s removal case. The court later unanimously dismissed Yoon in April.
Assistant special prosecutor Park Ji-young said another former acting leader, Han Duck-soo, was also indicted Thursday on the same dereliction of duty charge. Han, previously accused of helping legitimize Yoon’s martial law order via a Cabinet Council meeting, has denied supporting the plan.
Five others, including Yoon’s justice minister, were indicted on various charges connected to the martial law episode. Prosecutors also filed perjury charges against Choi for testimony he gave during Han’s trial.
The probe is one of three independent investigations into Yoon, his wife, and their associates, approved by current President Lee Jae Myung after he won a June snap election triggered by Yoon’s removal.
In August, Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, was arrested and indicted on financial and political corruption charges. Hak Ja Han, the 82-year-old Unification Church leader, was also arrested for allegedly ordering church officials to bribe a lawmaker close to Yoon.
The scandal has unsettled South Korea’s political landscape, with reports suggesting other influential figures, including those linked to the Lee administration, may have received funds from the church.
Amid growing scrutiny, Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo on Thursday denied bribery allegations but submitted his resignation to avoid pressuring the administration, which President Lee later accepted. Earlier this week, Lee called for a full investigation into alleged ties between politicians and a religious group, without naming the Unification Church specifically.
Source: AP/UNB
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