Seoul prosecutors charged South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, with insurrection on Saturday based upon his six-hour imposition of martial law in December, the BBC reported. This is the first time in the country’s history that a sitting president has faced criminal charges.
Yoon’s bid for military rule threw South Korea into an unprecedented political crisis. His declaration on December 3 claimed that it was necessary to protect the nation from “anti-state” forces allegedly aligned with North Korea.
The move followed corruption scandals, cabinet investigations, and a standoff over a budget bill.
The attempted coup failed within hours however. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung mobilized lawmakers and civilians to stand up against the declaration.
Parliament, including members of Yoon’s party, swiftly annulled the order, voting unanimously with 190 votes to block the imposition of martial law.
In a dramatic turn, soldiers armed with rifles then stormed the National Assembly, but were met with thousands of protesters. The standoff led to Yoon’s impeachment on December 14, suspending him from office and igniting the worst political crisis in decades.
The Constitutional Court is now deliberating on the impeachment and will decide whether to remove Yoon permanently or reinstate him.
Having been indicted, Yoon is now set to stand trial along with his former defense minister and senior military officials accused of orchestrating the martial law plan.
“The punishment of the ringleader of insurrection now begins,” said Han Min-soo, the spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Party.
Yoon’s legal team has dismissed the indictment as politically motivated, accusing prosecutors of acting as “tools” of the Central Investigation Office (CIO).
Insurrection charges in South Korea carry penalties of life imprisonment or death, although the latter is unlikely due to the country’s decades-long moratorium on executions.
The crisis has deeply divided the nation. Tens of thousands of Yoon’s supporters rallied last week, demanding his release and return to power. If Yoon is removed from office, South Korea will hold a new presidential election within 60 days.