In a dramatic turn of events that has shaken South Korea’s political landscape, former President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to stand trial on charges of insurrection — marking the first time in the nation’s democratic history that a sitting president was arrested and later impeached for attempting to impose martial law.
The trial, which begins on Monday, stems from Yoon’s controversial and short-lived declaration of martial law last December.
On December 3, in a stunning move that caught the nation off guard, Yoon ordered a suspension of political activity and attempted to impose strict media censorship, effectively plunging the country into chaos.
The decree, however, lasted only six hours before being overturned by opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly.
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This unprecedented act sparked nationwide outrage and led to a swift political fallout. Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly shortly afterward, and on April 4, the Constitutional Court finalized his removal from office, stripping him of all presidential powers and privileges.
Despite his ousting, Yoon now faces a separate and far more serious challenge: a criminal trial for insurrection. If found guilty, the 64-year-old could face life in prison—or even the death penalty under South Korean law.
Yoon’s legal troubles began earlier this year when he was arrested in a pre-dawn raid in January, after weeks of resisting calls for his resignation and stonewalling prosecutors. The arrest marked an unprecedented moment in South Korean politics, as he became the first sitting president to be detained while in office.
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Although he was released after 52 days due to procedural flaws in his detention — an argument his legal team successfully presented during a preliminary hearing in February — the charges remain intact, and the upcoming trial is expected to be highly scrutinized.
On Friday, Yoon formally vacated the presidential residence and returned to his private home in Seoul. Along the way, he greeted supporters and delivered a statement reflecting a mix of humility and defiance.
“Now, I return to being an ordinary citizen of the Republic of Korea,” Yoon said. “I will seek a new path in service of our country and our people.”
With Yoon’s removal from power, the nation is preparing for a snap presidential election set for June 3. Until then, Acting President Han Duck-soo will steer the government through this volatile transitional period.
As the trial begins and the country looks ahead to new leadership, South Koreans find themselves grappling with the implications of Yoon’s dramatic downfall — a sobering reminder of the fragility and strength of democratic institutions.
Stay tuned to ScoopHub as we continue to follow this historic case and its impact on South Korea’s political future.
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