South Korean prosecutors have indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, calling him the “ringleader of an insurrection” following his failed attempt to impose martial law in December. This marks a significant development in the ongoing political turmoil that led to his impeachment.
Yoon’s attempt to suspend civilian rule on December 3 lasted only six hours, as lawmakers stood their ground in parliament, rejecting the move in defiance of armed soldiers. This unprecedented action led to his impeachment shortly afterward, making him the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. His detention followed a tense standoff at his residence, where his elite security team initially resisted efforts to detain him.
Prosecutors, in a statement, confirmed that Yoon has been formally indicted on charges of leading an insurrection, which is a crime not protected by presidential immunity. As a result, Yoon will remain in detention at the Seoul Detention Center until his trial, which must occur within the next six months.
The decision to keep him behind bars was supported by concerns over potential evidence destruction, according to prosecutors. The indictment comes after two court rejections of the prosecutor’s request to extend his arrest warrant, signaling the seriousness of the charges.
The opposition parties have praised the indictment, emphasizing the need to hold accountable not only those who orchestrated the insurrection but also those who spread misinformation to justify it. Yoon and his legal team have suggested that election fraud and the legislative gridlock in the opposition-controlled parliament were reasons for his declaration of martial law, though no concrete evidence has been presented.
Yoon, who has vowed to “fight to the end,” has garnered support from followers who have adopted a rhetoric similar to that of former US President Donald Trump’s “stop the steal” movement.
Political analyst Bae Kang-hoon expressed that the indictment would reassure the public, reaffirming the functioning of constitutional order in South Korea. Yoon is also facing multiple Constitutional Court hearings to determine whether his impeachment will be upheld, with the potential of a new presidential election if the court rules against him.