Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Rearrested

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested again on Thursday after a Seoul court issued a new warrant, stirring up fresh drama over his controversial martial law declaration in December 2024.

The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation by a special counsel looking into serious charges, including insurrection, abuse of power, and interfering with official duties, tied to Yoon’s actions that threw South Korea into a political storm.

Yoon was ousted from office in April 2025 after the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that his brief attempt to impose martial law was a “deep betrayal of the public’s trust.” Investigators say Yoon ordered troops to storm parliament to stop lawmakers from overturning his decree, even directing them to “break down the doors” and arrest key figures like Lee Jae-myung, who’s now the country’s president. Yoon’s lawyers argue he never authorized the use of weapons and claim the investigation is biased and politically driven.

• Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Rearrested in Insurrection Probe
• Yoon Suk Yeol Faces Fresh Arrest Over Martial Law Scandal and Abuse of Power
• Ex-President Yoon's Rearrest Deepens South Korea’s Political Crisis

This is Yoon’s second time behind bars. He was first arrested in January 2025—the first sitting South Korean president to face such a fate—but was released in March due to legal technicalities. Now, authorities suspect he may have tampered with evidence, including ordering his security team to hide communication records and block earlier attempts to detain him.

Yoon’s martial law order, which lasted just six hours before lawmakers voted it down, stunned the nation and brought back memories of South Korea’s authoritarian days. It led to his impeachment and paved the way for Lee Jae-myung’s victory in a June 2025 election. While some supporters still rally for Yoon, holding signs like “Stop the Steal,” many others see his detention as justice, fearing he could disrupt democracy again if given the chance.

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As Yoon’s trial looms, likely stretching into 2026, South Korea remains deeply divided. The case continues to spark heated debates about the country’s democratic future and its global relationships.