Ousted South Korean President Yoon Faces New Indictments Linked to Martial Law Violations

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted from office, was indicted on additional criminal charges related to his controversial declaration of martial law. This development came roughly three months after his removal from office.

Yoon’s new indictments will keep him in jail for up to six months, as he prepares for a trial set at the Seoul Central District Court regarding the December 3 martial law declaration which led to significant political unrest in South Korea. Yoon faced arrest last week after the Seoul court granted an arrest warrant requested by a team of investigators, led by independent counsel Cho Eun-suk.

The charges against Yoon include abuse of power for restricting the rights of some Cabinet members by selectively summoning only a few to support his emergency martial law. Such a measure requires approval from all Cabinet members under South Korean law.

Additionally, Yoon is alleged to have fabricated an official document to meet the declaration’s requirements before subsequently destroying it. Earlier, state prosecutors had already indicted Yoon on other serious criminal charges, including masterminding a rebellion, which could lead to severe penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Following his martial law declaration, Yoon deployed military and police forces to the opposition-controlled National Assembly; however, lawmakers managed to reject his decree, resulting in its withdrawal. Some members of Yoon’s ruling party also voted to suspend his presidential powers, leading to his impeachment.

Yoon has continuously defended his actions as a desperate move to rally public support against the opposition Democratic Party, which he accused of obstructing his agenda and undermining governmental authority. In January, he was arrested but was released in March to face trial without being detained.

Following his impeachment in April, a snap election was held, resulting in the election of new President Lee Jae Myung, who has since authorized independent investigations into Yoon’s actions and other related allegations against his administration.