Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol Faces Historic Trial Over Martial Law Decree

In a dramatic development, South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was seen riding in a motorcade to the Seoul Central District Court for the commencement of his criminal trial. The trial centers on accusations that Yoon, through his brief enforcement of martial law on December 3, intentionally led an insurrection by restricting political and parliamentary activities, as well as media operations.

Security was tight at the scene as justice ministry vehicles departed the Seoul Detention Center, where Yoon had been held, and police buses assembled outside the court. His lawyers have also requested the court to hold a hearing regarding the legality of his continued detention, adding another layer to this complex legal battle.

The unprecedented charges, which stem from his decision to declare martial law, have profound implications for South Korea’s political landscape. The move reportedly led not only to Yoon’s impeachment but also to the suspension of the prime minister and indictments of senior military figures. As the impeachment trial by the Constitutional Court reaches its final phase—with witness testimonies, including that of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo—the fate of Yoon hangs in balance. His defenders argue that the martial law was intended as a political warning rather than a full-fledged clampdown, and they insist that his actions were never meant to spark a complete insurrection.