Disgraced former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been formally indicted on multiple charges, including abuse of power and obstruction of official duties, in connection with his controversial declaration of martial law last year, prosecutors confirmed on Saturday.
Yoon, who thrust the country into political turmoil on December 3, 2024, when he attempted to subvert democratic governance by deploying troops to parliament, now faces deepening legal troubles as authorities expand their investigation into alleged insurrection.
According to Prosecutor Park Ji-young, Yoon failed to follow constitutional procedures required to impose martial law, including convening a full cabinet meeting. Instead, he allegedly forged documents claiming that both the Prime Minister and Defence Minister had approved the declaration.
“He has been indicted for drafting and discarding a false document and for failing to meet the lawful requirements for declaring martial law,” Park told reporters.
Yoon was initially detained in January after weeks of defying arrest, reportedly using his presidential security detail to block investigators. He was briefly released in March on procedural grounds, even as his trial for insurrection moved forward.
However, he was rearrested last week under a fresh warrant, as prosecutors expressed concerns he could tamper with evidence.
Despite refusing to cooperate with investigators, Yoon appeared in court on Friday to contest the validity of the arrest warrant, citing health issues and “limited physical mobility”. The court rejected his request.
The former president is currently being held in solitary confinement in a cell without air-conditioning, even as a severe heat wave grips South Korea.
Yoon’s indictment marks an unprecedented chapter in South Korea’s political history, making him the first sitting president to be taken into custody and now a central figure in what may become one of the nation’s most significant post-presidency trials.
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