UPDATE - South Korea approves probes into ex-President Yoon’s failed martial law bid, wife’s corruption allegations

UPDATES WITH COURT DECISION TO POSTPONE PRESIDENT LEE’S TRIAL

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved multiple special investigation bills, including probes into former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law attempt and corruption allegations involving his wife, according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News.

The approvals, led by newly elected President Lee Jae-myung, include a probe into Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law last December, a move that led to his impeachment and removal from office earlier this year.

The Cabinet also approved a separate probe into first lady Kim Keon Hee over corruption allegations that surfaced during Yoon’s presidency.

Another investigation will examine the 2023 drowning death of Marine Chae Su-geun, who was swept away during a flood rescue mission. President Lee’s Democratic Party has accused Yoon of interfering in the military’s internal probe into the incident. Investigations revealed that Chae and other marines were not issued life vests during the operation.

Separately, the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday announced its decision to postpone President Lee Jae-myung's trial on charges of development-related corruption and bribery tied to his tenure as mayor of Seongnam, located south of Seoul, following a similar ruling by the Seoul High Court on Monday.

The district court stated that the next hearing will be delayed indefinitely, citing Article 84 of the Constitution, which shields a sitting president from criminal prosecution except in cases involving insurrection or treason.