South Korean prosecutors have formally charged impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol with leading an attempted coup following his declaration of martial law on December 3. If convicted, Yoon faces life imprisonment or even the death penalty, according to international media reports.
As reported by Al Jazeera, Democratic Party spokesperson Han Min-soo announced the indictment during a press conference, accusing Yoon of orchestrating the attempted rebellion. Treason is one of the few charges for which South Korean presidents are not immune, although South Korea has not carried out a death sentence in decades.
Yoon, who was arrested last week, became the first South Korean president to be detained while in office. His arrest came after a dramatic raid on his presidential residence, involving hundreds of security personnel and investigators scaling walls to enter the premises. Clashes reportedly erupted between Yoon’s supporters and law enforcement at the scene.
This was not the first attempt to detain the president. On January 3, an earlier effort to arrest Yoon was thwarted by security forces at his residence. Parliament had already passed a motion to impeach Yoon, which was supported by a majority vote.
The indictment stems from Yoon’s controversial decision to impose martial law on December 3 of last year, citing the need to protect the country from “communist forces.” During a live televised address, Yoon defended his actions but faced widespread public protests and fierce opposition from lawmakers. The martial law order was rescinded within hours following significant backlash, including a parliamentary vote against it.
Reports indicate that the clash between security forces and Yoon’s supporters during his arrest also involved allegations of an “illegal warrant” by members of Yoon’s party.
Yoon’s actions and subsequent arrest mark a historic and unprecedented moment in South Korean politics, underscoring the ongoing tensions in the country’s leadership and democratic institutions.
