Sharjah24 - AFP: Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol is set to face his first criminal trial on Monday, accused of insurrection following his brief declaration of martial law in December—a move that threw the country into political crisis.
On December 3, Yoon ordered a suspension of political activity and imposed media censorship in an attempt to place the country under military rule. The decree, however, was overturned just six hours later by a vote in the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
This failed manoeuvre triggered Yoon’s impeachment, and on April 4, the Constitutional Court ruled to strip him of all presidential powers.
Despite losing his office, Yoon still faces serious legal consequences. His trial for insurrection charges is set to begin on Monday. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life imprisonment or potentially face the death penalty.
During a preliminary hearing in February, Yoon’s legal team argued that his arrest had been procedurally flawed. The court agreed, resulting in his release 52 days after his January detention. He had been arrested in a dawn raid, following weeks of resisting police and prosecutors—marking the first time a sitting South Korean president was taken into custody.
On Friday, Yoon left the presidential residence and returned to his private home in Seoul, where he greeted supporters. In a farewell statement, he said he was now returning to life as an ordinary citizen and intended to seek new ways to serve the nation.
Following his ousting, South Korea has scheduled a snap election for 3 June. Until a new president is elected, acting president Han Duck-soo remains in charge.
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