By Spy Uganda
South Korea’s political landscape has been rocked by a dramatic legal development as special prosecutors formally requested the arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges stemming from his controversial declaration of martial law late last year.
Yoon, who left office in early 2025, is now under investigation for insurrection, abuse of power, and obstruction of justice following his decision on December 3, 2024, to place the country under temporary military control — a move that has been described by critics as a direct attack on democratic rule.
The martial law decree, which lasted for approximately six hours, was abruptly overturned later that evening after lawmakers stormed the National Assembly and voted unanimously to revoke the order. The dramatic reversal helped prevent what some now call a “near constitutional coup.”
According to the special investigation team, newly uncovered video footage and internal communications suggest that Yoon may have coordinated with senior military officials in what they describe as a premeditated effort to suspend civil order and undermine constitutional governance.
The prosecution’s case hinges on whether Yoon’s actions were a legitimate response to national security threats — as his defenders claim — or a calculated attempt to retain power amid political turmoil.
Yoon was questioned for nearly seven hours on Saturday, with investigators pressing for details about the chain of command and his motivations leading up to the declaration. His legal team has refused to provide public statements, only noting that he is “fully cooperating” with the probe.
National Shock & Protests
The unfolding scandal has divided public opinion, triggering mass protests in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Daejeon, with demonstrators on both sides demanding justice or exoneration.
“This was an attempted power grab, plain and simple,” said Rep. Han Ji-won, a leading voice in the opposition. “The rule of law must prevail, and the people deserve the full truth.”
Some supporters, however, insist Yoon acted in the nation’s best interest during what was described at the time as a period of heightened civil unrest and economic uncertainty.
If approved, Yoon’s arrest would mark one of the most significant legal reckonings for a South Korean head of state since the 2017 conviction of former President Park Geun-hye on corruption charges — a reminder of the country’s turbulent relationship with executive power.
The court is expected to rule on the detention request within days. Legal analysts say prosecutors must demonstrate that Yoon poses either a flight risk or a danger to evidence for the motion to succeed.
As South Korea watches closely, the outcome of this case may not only shape Yoon’s legacy but also test the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions in the face of extraordinary executive overreach.
