South Korean prosecutors have charged ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol with inciting a riot with his brief attempt to impose martial law on December 3, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the main opposition party.
The charges are unprecedented for a South Korean president and if found guilty, Yoon could face a prison sentence for issuing the shocking martial law decree that was intended to ban political and parliamentary activity and impose controls on the media.
His actions have sparked a wave of political turmoil in Asia's fourth-largest economy, which is also a key U.S. ally, with parliament also voting to impeach the prime minister, who was also temporarily removed from office, and a number of senior military officials have been indicted for their roles in the alleged mutiny, Reuters reported.
The prosecution did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Last week, the High-Level Corruption Investigation Service recommended indicting Yun, who was removed from office on December 14 following an impeachment vote.
In recent days, the court has twice rejected the prosecution's request to extend his detention while further investigation is conducted, but with the indictment filed today, the prosecution has again requested that Yun be kept in custody, local media reported.
However, the Seoul Central District Court rejected the prosecution's request, saying there were no "substantial reasons" for prosecutors to continue the investigation after receiving evidence from the High-Level Corruption Investigation Service of power, Yonhap reported a few days ago.
During a hearing before the Constitutional Court last week in the impeachment case against Yoon, his lawyers said that he never intended to fully impose martial law, but only wanted the measure to serve as a warning to break the political deadlock, Reuters notes.
In parallel with the criminal trial, the Constitutional Court will determine whether to remove Yoon from office or restore his powers, having a period of 180 days from his impeachment.