South Korea: Criminal trial of indicted Yoon on insurrection charges to begin Feb 20

Seoul: The criminal trial of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges related to his December 3 martial law imposition is set to begin later this month, legal sources said on Monday.

Along with an ongoing impeachment trial, Yoon has been also under criminal probe for insurrection that supersedes his presidential immunity from prosecution.

A division of the Seoul Central District Court handling Yoon’s case has scheduled the first pretrial hearing for February 20, according to the sources.

Yoon is not obligated to be present at the pretrial hearing as it is a procedural step conducted to review key issues and evidence before the formal trial begins.

Yoon is accused of conspiring with former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to incite an insurrection by declaring an unconstitutional and illegal state of emergency, despite the absence of any signs of war, armed conflict or a comparable national crisis, Yonhap news agency reported.

Yoon is also alleged to have sent military troops to the National Assembly in order to keep lawmakers from voting down the martial law declaration and to have planned to arrest key political figures.

Earlier in the day, Yoon met with the leadership of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and urged them to unite together to “bring hope” for the youth and the people, officials said on Monday.

Yoon made the call during his meeting with PPP interim leader Kwon Young-se, PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong and Rep. Na Kyung-won at the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, south of Seoul.

“(Yoon) asked the party to unite and play a role in bringing hope for the people, including the youth in their 20s and 30s,” Na told reporters after their visit.

Their talks also touched on concerns about South Korea’s future against the backdrop of the current international politics and global economy, she added.

On his martial law declaration, Yoon explained it was a measure taken “out of heavy responsibility” to prevent the National Assembly from effectively becoming a “one-party dictatorship” by the main opposition Democratic Party.

The impeached president was formally detained on January 19 over allegations of insurrection and abuse of power related to his short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3, Yonhap news agency reported.

IANS

J&K stares at water crisis, CM Omar Abdullah calls for collective effort

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday that Jammu and Kashmir was staring at a water crisis this year and all need to collectively act to address the crisis....

US to deport illegal migrants from India to Costa Rica

New York: The Central American country of Costa Rica has agreed to accept illegal Indian migrants deported from the US, creating a bridge for working out their eventual fate. The...

Flu surpasses Covid as US’ deadliest respiratory illness

New York: For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, influenza has surpassed Covid as the deadliest respiratory illness in California in the US, prompting hospitals to struggle with...

Tigress found dead in Kanha Tiger reserve, second in a fortnight

Bhopal: Kanha Tiger Reserve has unfortunately lost a tigress within the park. The park official found the carcass of a 10-12-year-old tigress in the Chimta, Ghanghar circle in Kisli forest...

VVIP chopper scam: SC gives bail to ‘middleman’ Michel over CBI’s delay in trial

New Delhi: After spending six years in incarceration, British alleged arms middleman Christian James Michel was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Tuesday in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper...

Go for trial run, HC tells MP govt on disposal of Union Carbide’s toxic waste

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to go for a trial disposal of 340 tonnes of Union Carbide toxic waste at Pithampura. A division...

Tesla ramps up hiring in India after Elon Musk-PM Modi meet in US

New Delhi: After the successful visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, Elon Musk-run Tesla has ramped up hiring in India, a market where it is slated to...

Gyanesh Kumar appointed as new Chief Election Commissioner

New Delhi: The Central government on Monday announced the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He will be replacing Rajiv Kumar. Gyanesh Kumar is a...

Remains of 2,500-3,000-year-old civilisation found in Jharkhand’s Chouparan

Ranchi: Archaeological evidence of a 2,500-3,000-year-old civilisation has been discovered in Chouparan block of the Hazaribagh district in Jharkhand. Dr Abhishek Singh Amar, Head of Asian Studies, Department of History...

Places of Worship Act: Govt Yet to File Response; Jamiat questions Centre’s Silence

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday deferred the hearing of the pleas concerning the Places of Worship Act 1991 to April. The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay...

USAID effectively ran India’s National Family Health Survey from 1990s: Sanjeev Sanyal

New Delhi: Sanjeev Sanyal, member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) on Monday said those concerned about USAID's interference in Indian elections should be equally concerned...

Pak link allegations: Open to any investigation, says Gaurav Gogoi

Guwahati: In response to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s series of allegations against Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi about having Pakistani links, the Member of Parliament from Jorhat constituency on...

Read Previous

On last day of campaign, Kejriwal alleges conspiracy to manipulate EVMs

Read Next

South film producer NK Chowdary found dead at Goa residence

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com