- President Yoon Suk Yeol has been charged with insurrection
- It comes after he declared martial law in South Korea in December
- The short-lived declaration plunged the country into the worst political crisis in decades
Impeached South Korean President Charged with Insurrection
South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has been charged with insurrection following his failed attempt to declare martial law in December. This move triggered a major political crisis, making Yoon the first sitting president in the country’s history to face criminal charges.
The charges were filed after a Seoul court rejected a request to extend Yoon’s detention on Saturday, forcing prosecutors to decide whether to charge or release him by Monday. Yoon’s legal team condemned the indictment, vowing to challenge what they called “illegalities in the investigation.” They accused prosecutors of acting as a “tool of political interests.”
Insurrection in South Korea carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. However, executions have not been carried out in the country for decades, making the death penalty unlikely.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is reviewing whether to permanently remove Yoon from office or reinstate him. Yoon has largely refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation into his martial law declaration.
He will stand trial alongside his former defence minister and senior military officials, who are accused of aiding his attempt to seize total power. On 3 December, Yoon announced martial law in a televised address, claiming it was necessary to protect the country from “anti-state” forces sympathetic to North Korea.
At the time, Yoon was embroiled in a budget dispute, corruption scandals, and investigations into several cabinet members. The military suspended parliamentary activities and attempted to impose media controls.
Yoon declares martial law
Less than two hours after Yoon’s announcement, 190 lawmakers—including members of his own party—unanimously voted to block the declaration. In a dramatic turn of events, soldiers armed with rifles were seen entering the parliament building through smashed windows, sparking a tense standoff.
Thousands of civilians gathered outside the assembly, attempting to stop the soldiers from advancing. The chaotic scenes unfolded as the political crisis deepened.
On 14 December, Yoon was impeached by parliament and suspended from his duties. The incident has plunged South Korea into its most severe political turmoil in decades, sharply dividing the nation.