South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been indicted on new criminal charges connected to his controversial martial law declaration. This comes about three months after he was formally removed from office.
The new charges mean Mr Yoon will stay in custody for up to six months as he awaits trial at the Seoul Central District Court. The trial concerns his 3 December martial law decree, which caused major political unrest. Last week, the court approved his detention after independent counsel Cho Eun-suk’s team requested it.
Abuse of power and document falsification
Park Ji-young, a senior investigator, said Mr Yoon abused his power by ignoring legal procedures. South Korean law requires all Cabinet members to approve martial law. However, Mr Yoon consulted only selected ministers. He also faces charges of falsifying a document to meet legal requirements and then destroying it.
After declaring martial law, Mr Yoon deployed troops and police to the opposition-controlled National Assembly. Despite this, enough lawmakers entered the chamber and voted against the decree. This forced the Cabinet to revoke it. The Assembly then impeached Mr Yoon. Some members of his own party supported suspending his presidential powers.
Political fallout and investigation following martial law decree
Mr Yoon said he issued the decree to gain public support against the Democratic Party. He accused the party of blocking his policies, impeaching officials, and cutting the government budget. He also called the National Assembly a “den of criminals” and labelled members “anti-state forces.”
In January, prosecutors charged Mr Yoon with rebellion, a serious offence that carries the death penalty or life imprisonment if proven.
He was released from detention in March so he could stand trial without custody. However, in April, the Constitutional Court formally removed him from office. A snap election followed, and Lee Jae Myung, former Democratic Party leader, won the presidency.
President Lee approved laws to launch independent investigations into Mr Yoon’s martial law declaration and other alleged crimes involving his administration and wife. He appointed Cho Eun-suk as independent counsel to lead the inquiry.
In May, prosecutors added charges against Mr Yoon for abusing power and ordering soldiers and police to block access to the Assembly and election offices, actions outside their official duties.