Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is now the subject of a high-level corruption investigation over his handling of a sensitive case years before he took office. The probe centers on allegations that, as the country's top prosecutor, he improperly dropped an inquiry into a 2017 plot by military officials to declare martial law and suppress widespread public protests.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has confirmed it is actively investigating a complaint filed by a civic group. This complaint accuses President Yoon, along with former Defense Minister Song Young-moo and another prosecutor, of dereliction of duty for their role in closing the original investigation back in 2018.
The Heart of the Allegation
The controversy dates back to the turbulent period of 2016-2017, when massive "candlelight protests" filled the streets of Seoul demanding the ouster of then-President Park Geun-hye over a corruption scandal. As Park faced impeachment, top military leaders under the Defense Security Command allegedly drafted a contingency plan to declare martial law. This plan reportedly included deploying tanks and armed troops to crush the demonstrations if the Constitutional Court were to reject the impeachment.
After Park was successfully removed from office and her successor, Moon Jae-in, was elected, an investigation was launched into this alleged martial law plot. Yoon Suk Yeol, serving as Prosecutor General under President Moon, was in charge of that investigation.
However, the probe was eventually dropped, and no one was indicted. The current complaint alleges that this decision was a failure of duty, effectively shielding those who conspired to use the military against civilians.
A Politically Charged Accusation
President Yoon's office has forcefully denied the allegations, dismissing the complaint as a "groundless political attack" with no merit. A spokesperson emphasized that the decision to close the investigation was made under the previous Moon administration and was not Yoon's unilateral action.
This new probe revives a dark and controversial chapter in South Korea's recent history. It places the nation's current leader under scrutiny for his past actions, promising to fuel political tensions between the ruling party and its opposition.
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