South Korea’s special counsel concluded that former President Yoon Suk Yeol deliberately prepared martial law to consolidate power. Moreover, investigators said Yoon aimed to bypass democratic processes and suppress opposition through emergency authority. These findings follow a six-month probe into alleged insurrection and treason linked to the December 3, 2024, martial law declaration.
The investigation revealed that Yoon began planning martial law in October 2023, more than a year before enacting it. Furthermore, special counsel Cho Eun-suk reported that Yoon coordinated with military leaders, relocated the presidential office, and outlined a command structure for the operation.
Authorities indicted 27 individuals connected to the plan, including former Cabinet members and high-ranking officials. Among them were ex-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, ex-Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, and ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Additionally, Yoon was charged with obstruction of justice, aiding an enemy, and perjury.
Investigators found that Yoon sought to label opposition lawmakers as “anti-state” threats to justify martial law. In addition, assistant special counsel Park Ji-young said Yoon and collaborators attempted military provocations toward North Korea in October 2024. This effort aimed to create a pretext for emergency powers.
The special counsel also examined Yoon’s personal motivations. Although protecting his wife’s legal interests may have played a minor role, the main purpose of martial law was to monopolize political power. Therefore, personal matters were secondary to political control.
Moreover, the probe revealed attempts to manipulate evidence regarding the 2024 parliamentary elections. Since Yoon’s party suffered a decisive defeat, he allegedly tried to overturn results through false claims. Consequently, this added another layer of legal scrutiny.
Experts described the findings as a major case of executive overreach in South Korea’s democracy. In addition, analysts emphasized that the indictments mark one of the most significant investigations of presidential power misuse in decades.
Looking ahead, legal proceedings against Yoon and his associates will test South Korea’s constitutional safeguards. Furthermore, officials plan to scrutinize military and political cooperation under emergency measures, signaling broader implications for governance and accountability.
