Impeached South Korean President Indicted for Martial Law Declaration

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces indictment on charges of instigating a rebellion following his brief imposition of martial law last month, according to the opposition Democratic Party and multiple news sources.

While President Yoon enjoys immunity from most criminal charges, this protection doesn’t extend to accusations of rebellion or treason, offenses punishable by life imprisonment or death. Democratic Party spokesperson Han Min-soo announced the indictment, stating that the prosecution of the alleged insurrection leader has begun.

This marks the first time a sitting South Korean president has faced indictment and criminal investigation, reports the Washington Post.

Following his December 14th impeachment by the opposition-controlled parliament, Yoon, a conservative, is accused of exceeding his authority with the December 3rd, 2024, martial law declaration, triggering significant political upheaval in South Korea. He denies wrongdoing, claiming the action was necessary to address what he termed a criminal National Assembly obstructing his agenda.

Yoon denounced the assembly as a “den of criminals” harboring “North Korea followers and anti-state forces,” deploying troops and police. However, lawmakers successfully convened to unanimously reject his decree, forcing its revocation after six hours. This marked South Korea’s first martial law declaration in over four decades, reviving memories of past authoritarian rule.

Following a standoff, Yoon was arrested on January 15th in a large-scale operation at the presidential compound, becoming the first sitting president to be arrested and subsequently held in solitary confinement.

After a court approved extending his detention, his supporters attacked the court, resulting in injuries to police officers and arrests of protesters.

Separately, the Constitutional Court is deciding whether to remove Yoon from office.

Initially investigated by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), Yoon refused questioning, citing the CIO’s lack of authority on rebellion charges. The CIO countered that the allegations were related to abuse of power, transferring the case to Seoul prosecutors who indicted him for rebellion, abuse of power, and obstructing the National Assembly.

Yoon’s defense team demanded his release and an investigation into the CIO. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office confirmed the indictment on rebellion charges.

Yoon’s defense minister, police chief, and other military officials have also been arrested for their roles in the events.

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