ReutersProsecutors allege that South Korea's suspended president asked the military to use weapons as he attempted to remove lawmakers from parliament as they voted against a martial law decree.
On December 3, Yoon Suk-yeol allowed soldiers to “break down the doors and drag them (the politicians) out, even if it meant shooting,” according to the indictment as part of his impeachment proceedings.
The orders were said to have been issued to a general charged with besieging the National Assembly during Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law – which lawmakers voted down after 190 members managed to enter the building.
Yoon's government later rescinded his decree, and lawmakers have since voted to impeach him.
Environmental Protection AgencyThe impeachment process in South Korea means that Yoon has been suspended from his duties while the Constitutional Court decides whether to confirm his impeachment or not. If that happens, he will be permanently removed from his position.
His decision to declare military rule – which he claimed at the time was aimed at confronting “anti-state forces” in parliament – was seen by some as an attempt to break the political deadlock since the opposition won a landslide in April.
After his late-night speech announcing the decree, opposition lawmakers and demonstrators gathered in the National Assembly, but police and military personnel greeted the building.
When the deputies Able to force entryProsecutors say Yoon told the head of the Capital Defense Command, Lee Jin-woo, that military forces could fire if necessary to enter the National Assembly.
“Tell (your troops) to go to the voting booth, four for each (legislator) and carry it out,” Yoon allegedly told General Lee.
“What are you doing? Break down the doors and pull them out.”
After lawmakers voted to lift martial law, Yoon told General Lee to “keep working” because he could declare martial law multiple times, the indictment said.
Prosecutors say the indictment draws evidence from former Defense Minister Kim Young-hyun, who was also indicted on Friday for allegedly asking General Lee to follow Yoon's orders several times on December 3.
He also allegedly ordered commanders to seize the INEC building and arrest its staff, using cable ties, eye masks, ropes, baseball bats and hammers prepared by the military.
Investigators said in a press release that Kim will remain in custody awaiting trial.
The martial law decree plunged South Korea into political turmoil that lasted for weeks.
Opposition politicians immediately described Yoon's announcement as illegal and unconstitutional. The leader of his party – the conservative People Power Party – also called for Yoon's action “Wrong move.”
Former Defense Minister Kim Young-hyun was also charged on Friday, according to the Special Investigations Headquarters established at the country's Public Prosecution Office.
On the same day, the National Assembly was also held They voted to impeach Its acting president, Han Dak-soo.
Han was supposed to lead the country out of political instability, but opposition lawmakers said he rejected demands to complete the impeachment process.
He has agreed to step down, meaning the country's Finance Minister, Choi Sang-mook, will become acting president.
Thousands of demonstrators held rival rallies in South Korea, with some calling for Yoon's arrest.
While attending 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 a lot of mountains to climb, so I can't stay at home – I came out with the mindset of protecting the country,” she added.
Political uncertainty has also caused the economy to suffer.
The currency fell to its lowest level against the dollar since the global financial crisis 16 years ago.
