The SPO said it decided to hand over Yoon's case to the CIO after consulting with it to separate their investigations.
The decision came after several agencies had competed to take the lead in the investigations into Yoon's botched martial law attempt on Dec. 3.
Yoon, who was suspended from his duties immediately after a motion to impeach him passed at the National Assembly last Saturday, faces charges of rebellion and abuse of power.
The CIO already formed a joint team with its own task force last week, consisting of investigators from the National Police Agency and other investigative agencies to enhance efficiency while preventing confusion caused by overlapping probes.
With the CIO taking over Yoon's case, prosecutors at the SPO are now expected to shift their focus to investigating other key officials and military officers involved in the martial law debacle including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who allegedly proposed the botched plan to Yoon and is accused of mobilizing soldiers to storm the National Assembly and the National Election Commission's headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul.
But it remains to be seen how effective the CIO will be, given that it has been criticized for its lack of investigative capabilities since its inception in 2021.
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