What to expect after South Korean president’s indictment on rebellion charges
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has become the country’s first leader to be indicted, less than two weeks after he was the first to be detained.
The impeached, jailed president, who had been holed up in his presidential compound for weeks after issuing a shocking martial law decree last month, now faces rebellion charges that are punishable by the death penalty or life in prison.
It’s part of a tortuous saga that has plunged South Korea into political turmoil and further riven an already divided society.
And it’s not the only legal headache Yoon faces. A separate proceeding will determine whether to formally dismiss Yoon as president or reinstate him.
As Seoul prepares for double court hearings, continuing chaotic protests and increasingly harsh rhetoric from pro-and anti-Yoon forces, here’s what to expect next:
What happens now?
Yoon will stay in jail.
He will be brought from a detention facility to a Seoul court for hearings in the rebellion trial, which is expected to last about six months.
Prosecutors say that Yoon directed a rebellion when he briefly imposed martial law on Dec. 3.
Yoon has presidential immunity from most criminal prosecutions, but not on charges of rebellion or treason.
Yoon’s defense minister, police chief and several other military commanders have already been arrested and indicted on alleged rebellion, abuse of power and other charges related to the martial law decree.
Meanwhile, rival protests look likely to continue in downtown Seoul.
After a local court on Jan. 19 approved a formal arrest warrant to extend Yoon’s detention, dozens of his supporters stormed the court building, destroying windows, doors and other property. They also attacked police officers with