South Korean prosecutors have charged former President Yoon Suk Yeol with abuse of power, adding to the serious legal issues he’s already facing. Yoon is also on trial for allegedly trying to cause a political crisis by declaring martial law in December 2024.
According to Yonhap News Agency, prosecutors confirmed on Thursday that Yoon has been indicted but will not be detained. The new charges against him include abusing his power and blocking others from exercising their rights. This is a major development in the legal cases against Yoon.
Earlier this year, Yoon was charged for allegedly working with former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to declare martial law illegally on December 3, 2024. Prosecutors argue there was no reason to declare a state of emergency because the country wasn’t facing a war or national crisis.
Yoon’s martial law declaration led to his impeachment by parliament on December 14, and he was removed from office on April 4. He later moved to his private home on April 11 after refusing a search of the official presidential residence, claiming it held sensitive information.
Recently, prosecutors searched Yoon’s private home as part of a separate investigation into claims of influence-peddling involving religious leaders. They were looking for any evidence linking Yoon to these religious groups.
With South Korea’s presidential elections approaching, political tensions are rising. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung is currently leading in the polls.
