South-korean law agencies started major probes into President Yoon Suk Yeol and other top officials due to their failed attempt to declare martial law this week
The investigation teams include prosecutors police and anti-corruption office members who are looking into charges that range from power abuse to insurrection. The scale of investigation is huge — over 130 investigators work on the case (which hasnt happened since the big political scandal back in 2016)
Among those under investigation are:
* Lee Sang-min the interior minister
* Former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun
* Army chief Park An-su
* Multiple military commanders and police officials
The justice ministry got requests to stop some military commanders from leaving the country: its a pre-emptive move to keep all key persons available for questioning
The special investigation bureau — a rare unit that forms only in very serious cases — leads the main probe. The Democratic Party wants to appoint a special counsel which could happen next week; this would join all investigation teams into one big group
The charges are super-serious: anyone found guilty of leading an insurrection might face life in prison (South-korea hasnt done any death penalties since late 90s). Other possible punishments include 5-year prison terms or fines up to 10-million won for less serious crimes like blocking peoples rights