South Korea Trials Ex-President Yoon Over Martial Law Turmoil

A packed courtroom in Seoul buzzed with tension today as South Korea began a high-profile trial against former President Yoon Suk Yeol, accused of obstructing justice during the fallout from his short-lived martial law declaration.

The 64-year-old, once a bold conservative leader, looked worn and thinner, his hair now short and gray after months out of the public eye.

This trial dives into the dramatic events that rocked the nation since December 2024, when Yoon shocked everyone by declaring martial law to cling to power amid growing political scandals.

Parliament quickly impeached him in January 2025, stripping his authority. Things got wild when Yoon holed up in the Blue House, refusing to let investigators arrest him. 

• South Korea puts ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol on trial over martial law fallout
• Yoon faces obstruction and insurrection charges after short-lived martial law
• Seoul courtroom drama intensifies as Yoon denies wrongdoing amid political crisis

The Constitutional Court officially booted him from office in April 2025, leaving South Korea grappling with deep political divides. The new charges, brought by a special prosecutor in June 2025, claim Yoon actively blocked his arrest during that January standoff. Prosecutors say he told aides to beef up security and mislead authorities, actions that could land him over three years in jail if he’s found guilty.

The investigation has also pulled in several former government and military officials, hinting at a broader cover-up. On top of this, Yoon faces separate, more serious charges of insurrection tied to the martial law mess, which could mean life in prison or even the death penalty—ending any chance of a political comeback.

Surprisingly, Yoon showed up to court today after skipping hearings since July, blaming health issues. Outside the Seoul Central District Court, flanked by his lawyers, he calmly denied wrongdoing: "It was within my powers as president to declare martial law in December." He called the investigations a “political attack” by his enemies and vowed to keep fighting.

His legal team insists the charges are a revenge plot by the opposition-led parliament, which they say overstepped by impeaching him. "This is not justice; it's vengeance," his lawyer argued, pushing for the case to be thrown out.

The trial comes at a tense time. Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, is caught up in her own corruption scandal, indicted recently for alleged influence-peddling. Many South Koreans, with polls showing 45% approval for the interim government, see this as a win for democracy. But Yoon’s supporters in the People Power Party warn it could spark a “constitutional crisis” if the courts give in to public pressure.

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As the nation watches closely, this trial could shape how South Korea holds its leaders accountable. Hearings will continue weekly, with a verdict likely months away. For Yoon, once a tough prosecutor turned president, it’s a make-or-break moment—freedom or a fall from grace.