South Korean president indicted as 'ringleader of an insurrection'
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President Yoon Suk Yeol is charged by prosecutors with being the "ringleader of an insurrection", after the failed martial law declaration attempt.
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Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend a rally to oppose his impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, on January 23, 2025. The letters read "Support Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP)
South Korean prosecutors charged impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday with being the "ringleader of an insurrection" following his failed attempt to declare martial law, and ordered the detained leader to remain in custody.
On December 3, Yoon's attempt to suspend civilian governance threw the country into political unrest. The decision, which lasted just six hours, was overturned when lawmakers stood up to armed soldiers in parliament and voted against it.
He was impeached shortly after and, earlier this month, became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. This followed a weeks-long standoff at his residence, where his elite personal security detail resisted efforts to apprehend him.
Prosecutors stated in a press release that they had "indicted Yoon Suk Yeol with detention today on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection."
Since his arrest, he has been held at the Seoul Detention Center. The formal indictment with detention ensures that he will remain in custody until his trial, which must take place within six months.
Charge not protected by immunity
The indictment was largely anticipated after a court twice denied prosecutors' requests to extend his arrest warrant while their investigation continued. The statement read that "after a comprehensive review of evidence obtained during investigations (prosecutors) concluded that it was only appropriate to indict the defendant."
Prosecutors clarified that the specific charge of being the ringleader of an insurrection is not protected by presidential immunity.
Yoon's legal team denied the insurrection allegation and pledged to challenge it in court. "Yoon's declaration of martial law cannot be recognized as insurrection," they said in a statement, adding, "We are convinced that the truth will prevail in a court of law."
This comes after South Korean investigators recommended on Thursday that impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol be charged with insurrection and abuse of power.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) formally accused Yoon of "leading an insurrection and abuse of power" following the 51-day probe into his December 3 attempt to suspend civilian governance.
The CIO stated it had "decided to request the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office file charges against the sitting President, Yoon Suk Yeol, in connection with allegations including leading insurrection."
