Special Counsel Wraps Up 180-Day Probe After Indicting Yoon, 57 Others

SEOUL, Aug 24 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- Special counsel Kwon Chang-young's team said Monday it has indicted 58 people, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol, in its 180-day investigation into wide-ranging allegations involving Yoon, his wife and key administration officials, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The team announced the final results of the investigation that officially wrapped up Sunday after launching in February to probe allegations that had not been fully investigated by three previous special counsel teams.

Kwon's team reopened investigations into insurrection charges stemming from Yoon's failed 2024 martial law bid, along with corruption allegations tied to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and the 2023 death of a Marine.

Through the investigation, Kwon indicted Yoon on charges of abusing his power by instructing officials to justify his failed martial law bid to the United States and other major partner nations.

Former National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik and former Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo have also been indicted over their alleged roles in connection with the case.

The team also indicted others, including former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo and former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong, for playing a key role in an insurrection under Yoon's martial law bid.

The team separately indicted Yoon's wife, Kim, on charges of meddling in a presidential residence relocation project in 2022. She is accused of unfairly intervening in the project to award the construction work to an unqualified company.

With the conclusion of its investigation mandate, Kwon's team has transferred 46 cases, involving 150 people, over to police for further investigation.

Kwon acknowledged limitations in the investigation due to the 180-day mandate and proposed installing a permanent special investigation team to probe insurrection-related charges.

"A long-term investigation is needed as the nature of insurrection crimes is collective, organised and long-term," he said in a press conference. "It is an issue that cannot be resolved with a six-month special counsel."

"It would be appropriate to continue a systematic and long-term investigation by installing a special investigation team joined by various investigation agencies."

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP