South Korea Indicts Yoon in Martial Law Plot

A South Korean special counsel investigation has concluded that former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his associates began plotting to impose martial law as early as October 2023, with the aim of provoking a military response from North Korea to justify seizing control of the government and suspending democratic institutions.

The findings, announced Monday by special prosecutor Cho Eunseok following a six-month probe, led to indictments against 24 individuals, including Yoon, on charges of insurrection, obstruction of justice, abuse of power, aiding the enemy and perjury. When combined with related military prosecutions, the total number of indicted suspects reaches 27, with five arrests approved by courts. Yoon, who has been detained since July after an earlier release, faces potential penalties including life imprisonment or the death penalty under South Korean law for insurrection.

The investigation revealed that Yoon and key aides, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun and military counterintelligence commander Yeo In Hyung, orchestrated abnormal military operations starting in October 2024 to escalate tensions with North Korea. These included unannounced drone...