Former President Yoon Suk Yeol now finds himself entangled in deeper legal troubles following his martial law scandal. After the Constitutional Court finalized his impeachment, his legal battles shifted to criminal court.
Prosecutors formally charged Yoon with leading an insurrection. This charge stems from his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3. While he served as president, he maintained immunity from other criminal accusations. Article 84 of the Constitution only allows prosecution for insurrection or treason while a president is in office.
Yoon became the first sitting president in South Korea to face a criminal investigation. That historical first followed his brief but intense period of martial rule. His legal defense claims the act was within his constitutional powers. However, the Constitutional Court previously ruled the action unconstitutional. This ruling may weaken Yoon’s argument that he acted within legal bounds.
Now that Yoon no longer holds presidential immunity, prosecutors are weighing additional charges. These could include abuse of power, which was central to the impeachment proceedings. Investigators believe Yoon may have misused his authority during his time in office.
Moreover, Yoon faces a separate investigation for allegedly obstructing law enforcement. In January, the Presidential Security Service (PSS), acting under his command, blocked police from executing search and seizure warrants. The PSS cited national security concerns. However, critics argue Yoon used them to delay legal consequences.
The martial law scandal also exposed possible election-related misconduct. Authorities are probing claims that Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, influenced candidate nominations before the 2022 parliamentary race. Allegedly, political fixer Myeong Tae-kyun rigged polls to favor Yoon’s campaign.
As new details unfold, the martial law scandal continues to haunt Yoon’s post-presidency. With multiple investigations ongoing, legal risks for the former president continue to mount.
