South Korean ex-president's legal woes grow

South Korea's ousted conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol faces more criminal charges as prosecutors alleged Monday that he ordered drone flights over North Korea in a deliberate bid to stoke tensions and justify his plans to declare martial law.

- BY HYUNG-JIN KIM

YOON Suk Yeol is accused of using drone flights to stoke North Korea tensions.

(KIM HONG-JI Pool Photo)

Yoon set off the most serious political crisis in South Korea’s recent history when he imposed martial law on Dec. 3 and sent troops to surround the National Assembly.

He was later impeached and removed from office and is in jail standing trial on charges including masterminding a rebellion.

His successor and liberal rival, President Lee Jae Myung, approved legislation that launched independent investigations into Yoon’s martial law declaration and other criminal allegations involving him, his wife and associates.

On Monday, Yoon and two of his top defense officials were charged with benefiting the enemy and committing abuse of power over their alleged drone flights, which came about two months before the declaration of martial law, according to a special investigation team.