South Korea’s Ex-President Yoon Indicted on New Charges

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been indicted on new charges of abuse of power and aiding an enemy state over an alleged plot to provoke conflict with North Korea to justify martial law.

South Korea’s special prosecutor has formally indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol on additional charges of abuse of power and aiding an enemy state, alleging that he conspired to provoke conflict with North Korea to justify the short-lived declaration of martial law last year.

Yoon, who is already on trial for insurrection linked to his attempted imposition of martial law, now faces a potential death sentence if convicted. Prosecutors claim that covert drone operations targeting the North were part of the alleged plot to inflame tensions and provide grounds for the emergency measures.

The former leader, however, has consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting that his actions were intended to defend democracy and alert the nation to perceived threats from opposition parties. His legal team maintains that the accusations exaggerate the evidence and misrepresent his intentions.

The indictment intensifies South Korea’s ongoing political and legal reckoning over Yoon’s tenure, reflecting the deep polarisation in the country over leadership, security, and the proper limits of executive power. Analysts note that the case highlights the delicate line between patriotism and peril in a nation still technically at war with its northern neighbour.

The trial is expected to continue over the coming months, with both domestic and international observers closely monitoring the proceedings as a key test of the country’s judicial and political institutions.