Reuters
Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office in early December.
Prosecutors say South Korea's suspended president told the military to use weapons as he tried to impeach lawmakers in Parliament as they voted against his martial law decree.
On December 3, Yoon Suk Yeol authorized soldiers to “break down the doors and force them (politicians) out, even if it meant shooting with guns,” according to an indictment in the court proceedings. impeachment against him.
The orders were reportedly given to a general tasked with blocking the National Assembly during Yoon's brief declaration of martial law – which was rejected by MPs after 190 people were able to enter the building.
Yoon's cabinet later rescinded his decree and lawmakers have since voted to impeach him.
EPA
Yoon's martial law decree sparked protests and weeks of political unrest
South Korea's impeachment proceedings mean Yoon has been suspended from office while a constitutional court decides whether to uphold his dismissal. If this is the case, he will be permanently removed from his position.
His decision to introduce military rule – which he claimed at the time was intended to counter “anti-state forces” in Parliament – was seen by some as an attempt to break the political deadlock since the opposition won a landslide victory in April.
After his late-night speech announcing the decree, opposition MPs and protesters converged on the National Assembly, but were met by police and soldiers barricading the building.
When lawmakers managed to force entry, prosecutors say Yoon told Capital Defense Command chief Lee Jin-woo that military forces could shoot if necessary to enter the National Assembly.
“Tell (your troops) to go to the voting room, four for each (lawmaker) and execute them,” Yoon reportedly told General Lee.
” What are you doing ? Break down the doors and get them out.
After lawmakers voted to lift martial law, Yoon told Gen. Lee to “keep going” because he might declare martial law multiple times, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors say the indictment relies on evidence from former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was also indicted on Friday for allegedly telling General Lee to follow Yoon's orders at several resumed on December 3.
He also allegedly ordered commanders to seize the National Electoral Commission building and arrest its employees, using cable ties, eye masks, ropes, baseball bats and hammers prepared by the 'army.
Kim will remain in custody pending trial, investigators said in a statement.
The army has prepared tools to arrest members of the National Electoral Commission
The martial law decree has plunged South Korea into political turmoil that has lasted for weeks.
Opposition politicians immediately called Yoon's statement illegal and unconstitutional. The leader of his own party, the conservative People Power Party, also called Yoon's action a “bad decision.”
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was also indicted on Friday, according to the Special Investigations Headquarters, located within the country's prosecutor's office.
The same day, the National Assembly also voted to impeach its interim president, Han Duck-soo.
Han was supposed to lead the country out of its political instability, but opposition lawmakers argued he was refusing demands to complete the process of Yoon's impeachment.
He agreed to step down, meaning the country's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will become interim president.
Thousands of protesters have held rival rallies in South Korea, with some demanding Yoon's arrest.
Participating in a protest in Seoul on Saturday, Kwon Jung-hee told the BBC that Han's removal felt like “a small mountain” had been climbed.
“But there are still too many mountains to climb, so I can't stay at home. I decided to protect the country,” she said.
Political uncertainty has also hurt the economy.
The currency has plunged to its lowest level against the dollar since the global financial crisis 16 years ago.
