South Korean prosecutors have formally charged the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol with insurrection, accusing him of orchestrating an unlawful uprising following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3.
In a statement issued on Sunday, prosecutors revealed that Yoon had been “indicted with detention on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection.” The indictment follows a thorough investigation, where evidence gathered led to the decision that prosecution was warranted.
Insurrection, a serious offense in South Korea, can result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty, though the country has not executed anyone in many years. This charge is particularly notable because, as president, Yoon would typically be immune from prosecution. However, insurrection is one of the rare exceptions to this rule, according to reports from Chronicles reporters.
The charges are directly linked to Yoon’s decision to impose martial law on December 3, a move that caused public outrage and ultimately led to his impeachment by parliament on December 14. While Yoon’s legal team contends that he never intended to fully enforce martial law and used it merely as a political tool to resolve a deadlock, the decision to impose such a measure has sparked a fierce political battle.
Since his arrest on January 15, Yoon has become the first sitting South Korean president to be detained. His lawyers have petitioned for his immediate release, arguing that his detention is unlawful. The final decision on whether Yoon will be removed from office or have his presidential powers reinstated will rest with the Constitutional Court.
In a historic move, South Korea’s opposition-dominated parliament voted to impeach Yoon on December 14, 2024, making him the second conservative president in the country’s history to face impeachment. This followed his declaration of martial law on December 3, which was met with strong opposition from both lawmakers and the public. The situation escalated when members of the main opposition party confronted soldiers in parliament, ultimately leading to the annulment of the martial law decree after only six hours.
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