Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to Face Trial for Insurrection

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol will face his first criminal trial on Monday for insurrection after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December, which plunged the democratic country into political turmoil. Yoon sought to impose military rule on December 3 when he ordered the suspension of political activity and censorship of the media. The decree lasted just six hours before being voted down by opposition MPs.

The failed attempt led to Yoon’s impeachment by the National Assembly, and the Constitutional Court fully stripped him of his presidential duties on April 4. He was detained in January during a dawn raid after resisting police and prosecutors for weeks, becoming the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. During a preliminary hearing in February, his lawyers argued his detention had been procedurally flawed, an argument accepted by the court, resulting in his release after 52 days.

Although he has lost all presidential privileges, Yoon still faces a criminal trial on insurrection charges, with the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty if convicted. On Friday, the 64-year-old former leader vacated the presidential residence and returned to his private home in Seoul, greeting supporters along the way. “Now, I return to being an ordinary citizen of the Republic of Korea, and I will seek a new path in service of our country and our people,” he said in a statement.

With Yoon’s removal from office, South Korea is set to hold a snap election on June 3 to elect his successor. Until then, the country is governed by acting president Han Duck-soo.