South Korea’s ex-president Yoon to face insurrection trial

Ousted South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol waves before leaving the presidential residence in Seoul on April 11, 2025. Agence France-Presse

SEOUL — 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 the country when he ordered the suspension of political activity and the censorship of media on December 3. The decree lasted just six hours as it was voted down by opposition MPs.

The disastrous attempt led to Yoon’s impeachment by the National Assembly shortly thereafter, with the Constitutional Court fully stripping him of his presidential duties on April 4.

READ: South Korea court ousts impeached President Yoon

Although he has lost all presidential privileges, Yoon still faces a criminal trial on insurrection charges, which will kick off Monday.

During a preliminary hearing in February, Yoon’s lawyers argued that his detention had been procedurally flawed, an argument accepted by the court, leading to his release 52 days after his arrest.

He was detained in January in a dawn raid after holding out against police and prosecutors for weeks, becoming the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested.

If convicted, Yoon could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

READ: South Korea’s impeached President Yoon released from prison

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, 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.