South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has handed over the investigation file of ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol to prosecutors to face charges of sedition and abuse of power, Korean media reported Thursday.
The CIO handed over a 30,000-page dossier to prosecutors. Lee Jae-seung, deputy chief of the CIO, explained that by doing so, the investigation would be made more efficient. Lee Jae-seung said at the briefing:
“Despite being under serious charges of sedition, the suspect continues to be uncooperative, unresponsive to criminal proceedings and refuses to be questioned to this day.”
Yoons lawyer attributed his refusal to participate in the questioning to his health condition.
South Korea’s parliament decided to suspend Yoon Seok-yeol from his duties as president after he declared martial law in the country on December 3. The CIO issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of sedition and abuse of power, but his guards prevented the politician from being detained on January 3. On January 15, police detained Yoon at a second attempt.
The CIO says the ousted president’s detention is due to end around January 28. However, prosecutors expect the court to extend his arrest for another ten days before charging him.
