US EditionSouth Korea’s ousted president Yoon plotted martial law to eliminate rivals, probe finds
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol and 23 others were indicted for plotting martial law to suppress opposition and manipulate military actions, following a 180-day investigation by a special counsel.
- On Monday, Independent counsel Cho Eun-suk announced the 180-day probe found former President Yoon Suk Yeol plotted to impose martial law and indicted 24 people, including five cabinet members.
- Preparations began in or before October 2023 when Yoon Suk Yeol, former President, intensified military reshuffles and sought to suspend the National Assembly by replacing it with an emergency legislative body, Independent counsel Cho Eun-suk said.
- Investigators found that Yoon and military commanders orchestrated operations against North Korea from October 2024, including alleged covert drone flights, while Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others hosted dinners and reshuffled officers to secure support.
- Yoon's Dec. 3 decree lasted six hours, sparked protests, was overturned by the National Assembly, leading to his impeachment and removal; he is jailed, indicted on obstruction, aiding the enemy, and perjury charges.
- Police have raided Unification Church facilities in Seoul and Gapyeong amid bribery probes involving politicians, while investigators found no evidence that Kim Keon Hee, former first lady, was directly involved in the martial law plan.
45 Articles
45 Articles
South Korean Probe Says Yoon Plotted Martial Law to Eliminate Rivals
An investigation into former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, released on Dec. 15, states that he spent more than a year planning to impose martial law in an effort to eliminate political opponents and consolidate power. Yoon, who is currently on trial for insurrection, attempted to impose martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, before he backed down six hours later in the face of parliamentary opposition and public protests. Yoon said at the time tha…
He tried to provoke a military provocation and induce Pyongyang to react by force, which would allow him to declare a state of national emergency. As this did not work, he sought to shock the internal order.
Ousted President Yoon prepared for martial law bid over a year in advance, says South Korean special counsel
'The main purpose of martial law was the monopolization of power, to do anything (Yoon Suk Yeol) wanted to do,' says assistant special counsel - Anadolu Ajansı
South Korea’s Yoon goaded North to justify martial law, prosecutors say
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sought to provoke a North Korean military response to justify his martial law attempt, an independent team of special prosecutors concluded Monday after a six-month investigation into the country’s unprecedented emergency declaration last year. The head of the special counsel team on Insurrection and Foreign Aggression Cho Eun-suk […]
Associated Press News
South Korea's ousted president Yoon plotted martial law to eliminate rivals, probe finds
Investigators have concluded that South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol plotted for over a year to impose martial law to eliminate rivals and monopolize power.
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