Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Accused of Provoking North Korea to Justify Martial Law

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol allegedly attempted to provoke North Korea into a military confrontation in order to justify the declaration of martial law in December 2024 and suppress political opponents, a special prosecutor said on Monday.

Addressing a media briefing, Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok stated that his team had indicted 24 individuals, including Yoon and five former cabinet members, for their alleged roles in the case. The indictments follow a six-month investigation into charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

According to the prosecution, the alleged plan involved escalating tensions with Pyongyang to manufacture a national security crisis that could be used to rationalise extraordinary measures at home, including the imposition of martial law and the targeting of political rivals.

The case marks one of the most serious legal actions ever brought against a former South Korean president, underscoring the gravity of the accusations and their potential impact on the country’s democratic institutions.