South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has been formally indicted on charges of being the “ringleader of an insurrection,” marking an unprecedented moment in the nation’s political history. The indictment follows his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, which lasted just six hours before lawmakers defied armed soldiers in parliament to nullify it.
Yoon’s martial law attempt plunged South Korea into political chaos, leading to his impeachment and subsequent arrest. After weeks of defiance at his residence, where his elite security detail resisted detention efforts, Yoon was finally apprehended and has since been held at the Seoul Detention Center.
Prosecutors announced Sunday that Yoon’s formal indictment would keep him behind bars until his trial, expected to occur within six months. They justified the move citing a “continued risk of evidence destruction” and emphasized that the charge of leading an insurrection is not protected by presidential immunity.
The indictment highlights Yoon’s alleged orchestration of a move to suspend civilian rule, a step he and his legal team argue was justified by purported election fraud and legislative gridlock in the opposition-controlled parliament. However, critics and opposition figures see it as a blatant assault on South Korea’s constitutional order.
Yoon’s lawyers dismissed the allegations, maintaining that his declaration of martial law did not constitute insurrection. “We are convinced that the truth will prevail in a court of law,” they stated. Meanwhile, Yoon’s supporters have rallied behind him, echoing rhetoric reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “stop the steal” campaign.
Opposition leaders welcomed the indictment as a step toward accountability. “We need to hold not only those who schemed to carry out an illegal insurrection, but also those who instigated it by spreading misinformation,” said lawmaker Han Min-soo.
The indictment also marks a critical moment for South Korea’s Constitutional Court, which is tasked with determining whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment. If the court rules against him, Yoon will be formally stripped of the presidency, triggering a new election within 60 days.
Political analysts view the indictment as a reaffirmation of South Korea’s democratic processes. “This indictment will provide a sense of relief, reaffirming that the constitutional order is functioning as it should,” said Bae Kang-hoon, co-founder of think tank Valid.
As South Korea braces for this pivotal trial, the case underscores the resilience of its democratic institutions amid a historic political crisis.
