South Korea’s president is accused of ordering the use of weapons to stop a martial law vote

South Korea’s impeachment process means Yoon has been removed from office while the constitutional court decides whether to uphold his impeachment. If he does, he will be removed from his post forever.

His decision to declare military rule – which he claimed at the time was to counter “anti-state forces” in parliament – was seen by some as an attempt to break the political deadlock following the opposition’s victory in April.

After his late-night speech announcing the decree, opposition MPs and protesters gathered at the National Assembly, but were met by police and soldiers who barricaded the building.

When MPs can force entryprosecutors say Yoon told Lee Jin-woo, chief of the capital’s defense command, that military forces could open fire if necessary to enter the National Assembly.

Yoon told Gen Lee to “tell (your troops) to go to the polling booth, four (MPs) each, and execute them.”

“What are you doing? Break down the doors.”

After lawmakers voted to lift martial law, Yoon repeatedly told General Lee to “go ahead” because he could declare martial law, the indictment said.

Prosecutors say the indictment cites evidence from former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was accused on Friday of repeatedly telling Gen Lee to follow Yoon’s orders on Dec. 3.

He also ordered commanders to seize the building of the National Election Commission and arrest its staff using military-made rope, eye masks, ropes, baseball bats and hammers.

Investigators said in a press release that Kim will remain in custody pending trial.