Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Indicted for Leading Insurrection

South Korean prosecutors have formally indicted impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of being the “ringleader of an insurrection” following his failed attempt to declare martial law.

The embattled leader, who was arrested earlier this month, remains in detention at the Seoul Detention Center.

Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3 lasted just six hours before lawmakers defied armed soldiers in parliament and voted to suspend civilian rule.

The move plunged South Korea into political turmoil and led to Yoon’s impeachment.

Prosecutors, in a statement on Sunday, said the indictment with detention was necessary due to the “continued risk of evidence destruction.” They noted that the charge of leading an insurrection is not protected by presidential immunity.

Yoon, the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, was taken into custody after weeks of resisting detention at his residence, where his elite security detail held off law enforcement.

The indictment has been hailed by the opposition as a victory for democracy. Lawmaker Han Min-soo stated, “We need to hold not only those who schemed to carry out an illegal insurrection but also those who instigated it by spreading misinformation.”

Yoon and his legal team have pointed to alleged election fraud and legislative gridlock as justification for the martial law declaration, claims widely dismissed as baseless.

Despite this, Yoon has vowed to “fight to the end,” rallying supporters who echo the “stop the steal” rhetoric of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Political analyst Bae Kang-hoon welcomed the indictment, stating, “This indictment reaffirms that the constitutional order is functioning as it should.”

Yoon now faces a trial within six months, alongside Constitutional Court hearings to determine whether his impeachment will be upheld.

If the court rules against him, Yoon will be formally removed from office, triggering a presidential election within 60 days.

The unfolding legal battle marks an unprecedented moment in South Korean history, with far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.