SEOUL, South Korea — President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea attended a court hearing on Thursday regarding allegations that he orchestrated a rebellion by briefly declaring martial law in December. His legal team is challenging the circumstances surrounding his arrest linked to this criminal charge.
As Yoon’s motorcade arrived at the Seoul Central District Court, security measures were intensified, and a crowd of his supporters gathered in proximity to show their solidarity. The preliminary hearing focused on establishing witness lists and other trial-related preparations, alongside reviewing Yoon’s legal team’s request for his release from custody. Historically, such petitions for cancellation of arrests have little chance of success.
On January 26, Yoon was officially indicted on rebellion charges, which carry severe penalties, including the possibility of death or life imprisonment. In South Korea, while sitting presidents enjoy immunity from many criminal charges, they are not protected against accusations of rebellion or treason. The indictment claims that Yoon’s martial law declaration was an unlawful attempt to shut down the National Assembly and take action against politicians and election officials. Yoon has consistently argued that the declaration was a temporary measure intended to send a warning to the opposition and that he had always planned to adhere to the legislative process if lawmakers chose to lift it.
Yoon’s presidential authority was suspended following his impeachment on December 14, and the Constitutional Court of South Korea is currently deliberating whether to uphold the impeachment or reinstate him by dismissing the case. The martial law was revoked roughly six hours after it was enacted, yet it has sparked significant political turmoil, interfered with high-level diplomatic relations, and challenged the strength of South Korea’s democracy. Supporters of Yoon reacted violently at the Seoul Western District Court following the authorization of his arrest last month, and both Yoon’s legal team and political allies have raised doubts over the credibility of the judicial and law enforcement entities managing the case.
Throughout this ordeal, Yoon has expressed disdain toward his liberal opponents, accusing them of hindering his initiatives and promoting unfounded conspiracy theories about electoral misconduct to support his controversial and unsuccessful authoritarian strategies. Additional turmoil surrounds Yoon, as his defense minister, police chief, and multiple military leaders have been arrested and are facing charges of rebellion, abuse of power, and various offenses connected to the martial law declaration, which included the mobilization of numerous heavily armed forces at governmental sites such as the National Assembly and the National Election Commission offices.
