Former South Korean Prosecutor General indicted over alleged sedition involvement

South Korea's special prosecutor has indicted former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung on charges of allegedly participating in sedition during the 1979 martial law period. The indictment, announced on July 20, marks a significant development in the investigation into actions taken during a turbulent time in the nation's history.

Shim is accused of involvement in the martial law's aftermath, specifically concerning the review of prosecutorial responses. Prosecutors allege that Shim, acting on instructions from then-Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, considered dispatching prosecutors to a joint investigation headquarters. This review reportedly occurred during three phone calls with Park and subsequent communications with various high-ranking prosecutors.

Also indicted is Jeon Mu-gon, a former deputy prosecutor general who served under Shim. Jeon faces charges of important sedition duties and abuse of power for his alleged role in drafting a document that discussed trial jurisdiction under the emergency martial law. This document aimed to clarify legal proceedings during the period of heightened military control.

The special prosecution team secured evidence through searches of work computers and internal prosecutors' messengers. While arrest warrants for Shim and Jeon were previously sought, they were ultimately dismissed by the court, leading to their current indictment without detention.