South Korean court has approved the arrest of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol on serious criminal charges related to his brief imposition of martial law last December, marking a dramatic escalation in the legal battle surrounding his failed attempt to cling to power.
The Seoul Central District Court granted special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk’s request on Wednesday, citing the risk that Yoon Suk Yeol could destroy evidence. After a seven-hour closed-door hearing, Yoon was taken back into custody at a detention center near Seoul, just four months after his previous release.
Facing rebellion and abuse of power charges
Yoon, who was removed from office in April after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, now faces a string of charges including attempted rebellion, abuse of power, falsifying official documents, and obstruction of official duties. Some of these offenses carry punishments as severe as life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Special Prosecutor Cho’s team alleges that Yoon attempted to illegally seize control of South Korea’s legislature and election offices by declaring martial law on December 3, 2024. His decree lasted only a few hours before lawmakers, escorted by civilian police, broke through military blockades at the National Assembly and voted to lift the order.
“Anti-state” rhetoric and private army allegations
At the time, Yoon justified his actions by accusing liberal lawmakers of obstructing his agenda through their legislative majority, describing them as “anti-state forces.” Investigators claim he bypassed all legal procedures—such as required Cabinet deliberation—and unlawfully deployed his presidential security unit like a personal militia. These forces allegedly blocked an initial police attempt to arrest Yoon at his residence in early January.
Yoon’s legal team slammed the arrest warrant as “excessive” and “politically motivated,” insisting that the former president poses no risk of evidence tampering. However, Cho’s office argued otherwise, saying Yoon had refused to cooperate fully during questioning.
Return to detention
This marks Yoon’s return to the same detention facility from which he was released in March, when the court then ruled his pre-trial detention unnecessary. His indictment in January followed his impeachment on December 14, which came just days after the failed martial law attempt.
New government pushes deeper probe
Yoon’s liberal rival, President Lee Jae Myung—who defeated conservative candidates in the June snap election—has swiftly moved to ramp up investigations. Last month, Lee approved legislation launching special probes not only into Yoon’s martial law declaration but also into other corruption allegations involving Yoon’s wife and top officials from his administration.