South Korea: CIO requests Yoon's indictment over martial law bid

The state anti-corruption agency filed a request with the prosecution Thursday to indict President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, Yonhap reports. 

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) said it requested the president be charged with leading an insurrection and abuse of power as it transferred the case to the prosecution.

The CIO does not have indictment powers against a president.

Yoon faces charges of colluding with then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to start a riot by declaring martial law on Dec. 3.

He also faces charges of abusing his power by sending troops to the National Assembly to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree.

Yoon is currently under arrest at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, south of the capital, while a Constitutional Court trial is also under way to determine whether to uphold or dismiss his impeachment by the National Assembly.

If upheld, Yoon will be removed from office, triggering a snap presidential election within 60 days. If dismissed, he will be reinstated.

As previously stated investigators arrived at the Seoul Detention Center on Wednesday to make their third attempt to forcibly bring in President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his failed martial law bid.