South Korea’s former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been formally indicted on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of official duties, following a controversial declaration of martial law last December.
On December 3, 2024, Yoon triggered a national crisis by deploying troops to block lawmakers from voting against his martial law order, bypassing constitutional protocols and sparking accusations of an attempted insurrection.
He was the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested while in office, resisting detention for weeks before finally being taken into custody in January 2025.
Though released in March on procedural grounds, prosecutors resumed efforts to detain him amid fears he might tamper with evidence.
He was re-arrested last week under a new warrant.
Prosecutor Park Ji-young confirmed Saturday that Yoon was indicted not only for abuse of power but also for fabricating documents.
According to investigators, Yoon falsely claimed that the prime minister and defense minister had endorsed the martial law declaration, without holding the legally required cabinet meeting.
Despite refusing to cooperate with investigators during his detention, Yoon made a court appearance on Friday seeking to cancel his arrest warrant.
His lawyers cited health issues and restricted mobility, but the court rejected the appeal.
Yoon remains in solitary confinement in a cell without air conditioning amid South Korea’s ongoing heatwave.
