SEOUL – South Korean prosecutors have formally indicted suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of leading an insurrection through his brief martial law decree on December 3, 2024. The unprecedented indictment, announced on January 26, carries the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty, though executions have not been carried out in South Korea for decades.
Yoon’s martial law declaration, which sought to ban political activity, control the media, and dissolve Parliament, triggered a political crisis in the nation. The decree was swiftly rescinded after six hours following intense opposition from lawmakers and public outrage.
Yoon, currently in custody following his impeachment by Parliament on December 14, is the first sitting South Korean president to face arrest. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated the insurrection alongside senior military officials, some of whom have also been indicted. The Democratic Party, which leads the opposition, welcomed the indictment. Spokesman Han Min-soo stated, “The punishment of the ringleader of insurrection now begins finally.”
Yoon has defended his actions, claiming the martial law measures were intended as a temporary warning to address political gridlock. The Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide whether to permanently remove him from office or reinstate his presidential powers. If Yoon is removed, South Korea will hold a presidential election within 60 days, marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s political future.