Disgraced former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally indicted on Saturday for abuse of power, obstruction of official duties, and falsification of documents, deepening his legal troubles amid an ongoing insurrection trial. The indictment stems from Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, during which he ordered military troops to surround parliament in a bid to prevent lawmakers from overturning his decree. Prosecutors allege that Yoon bypassed constitutional procedures, including the mandatory approval of the full cabinet, and instead submitted a fabricated document falsely indicating that the prime minister and defense minister had endorsed the decision.
The former president was initially arrested in January while still in office, making him the first sitting leader in South Korea’s history to be detained. He was released in March on procedural grounds but was re-arrested last week after prosecutors warned he might attempt to destroy evidence. His legal team claims he is suffering from limited mobility and harsh detention conditions, including being held in solitary confinement without air-conditioning during a nationwide heatwave. Despite this, Yoon has refused to cooperate with investigators and declined to appear for formal questioning. However, he did defend himself in court for over 30 minutes during a recent bail hearing. His request for release was denied.
This latest indictment marks a dramatic escalation in a case that has already plunged South Korea into political turmoil. Yoon, who was impeached and removed from office earlier this year, is facing trial on charges of insurrection. This serious offense carries the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Prosecutors say their investigation is ongoing and could lead to more charges. The political and legal fallout from the martial law crisis has sent shockwaves through the country, raising urgent questions about democratic stability and the limits of presidential power.
