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Key Points

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has formally requested bail from the Seoul Central District Court. He faces serious charges including insurrection related to a failed martial law declaration. The special counsel is investigating whether he ordered drone dispatches to provoke North Korea. Yoon has refused to cooperate with the investigation since his detention in July.

Key Points: Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol Seeks Bail Amid Insurrection Trial

  • Yoon cites health concerns and defense preparation needs for bail request
  • Faces charges of insurrection and abuse of authority from December events
  • Special counsel probes alleged drone dispatch to provoke North Korean response
  • Former military commanders deny link between drone ops and martial law bid
2 min read

Former South Korean President Yoon files for bail amid insurrection trial

Former South Korean President Yoon files for bail citing health and defense prep while facing insurrection charges over alleged martial law plot and drone dispatch to Pyongyang.

"The team suspects Yoon of giving direct orders to the Drone Operations Command to dispatch drones to Pyongyang - Special Counsel Report"

Seoul, Sep 21

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has requested to be released on bail, citing the need to prepare his defence and health concerns, according to legal sources on Sunday.

The application was filed on Friday with the Seoul Central District Court, which is handling charges against him for obstruction of duties and abuse of authority. A date for the bail hearing has not yet been set, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Yoon has been in custody since July and is on trial for allegedly leading an insurrection and abusing his power in connection with a short-lived martial law declaration in December.

On September 20, a special counsel team notified Yoon to appear for questioning next week over allegations linked to his failed martial law bid.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team said it issued the summons to Yoon to appear for questioning at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office on Wednesday.

The team is expected to question Yoon on charges of whether he incited foreign aggression by ordering a drone dispatch to Pyongyang in October, ahead of his short-lived declaration of martial law in December.

It would be the first time investigators attempt to question him over the allegation of inciting foreign aggression.

The team suspects Yoon of giving direct orders to the Drone Operations Command to dispatch drones to Pyongyang in an attempt to provoke North Korean military responses and allegedly create a pretext for the imposition of martial law.

Former drone command chief Major General Kim Yong-dae, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) former Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo and JCS operations chief, Lt. Gen. Lee Seung-oh, have already been questioned over the allegations.

The commanders have denied any link between the drone dispatch and Yoon's martial law, arguing the operations were part of response measures to the North's balloon campaigns against the South.

However, it remains unclear whether Yoon would appear, as he has refused to cooperate with the special counsel's probe and attend his insurrection trial since July.

The team also plans to question former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently in custody at the Seoul Eastern Detention Centre on charges of insurrection, officials said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Sending drones to provoke North Korea? That's extremely dangerous! Leaders should work for peace, not create conflicts. 😟 Hope South Korea handles this carefully.
A
Aditya G
Every accused deserves a fair chance to prepare their defense. If health concerns are genuine, bail should be considered. Due process must be followed.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see how different countries handle political accountability. In many nations, former leaders rarely face such serious consequences for their actions.
Karthik V
Martial law declaration is a serious matter. Leaders should never use military power for political gains. This case sets an important precedent for democratic norms.
M
Michael C
The timing seems suspicious - health concerns suddenly appear when questioning is scheduled. Hope the court examines this thoroughly before granting any bail.

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