South Korean prosecutors have accused suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol of authorizing the military to use force, including potentially firing weapons, to enter parliament during his failed attempt to impose martial law.
This allegation comes from a report shared with the media, detailing Yoon’s actions during the political turmoil that has engulfed the nation.
According to the 10-page summary from the prosecution’s indictment report, which includes testimonies from former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, Yoon allegedly vowed on December 3 to declare martial law three times if necessary. Stripped of his presidential duties by the National Assembly earlier this month, Yoon is under investigation for his controversial attempt to dismantle civilian rule, which led to his impeachment.
Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, has dismissed the prosecutors’ claims, calling the report a “one-sided account” that does not align with objective realities.
The report details chaotic scenes on December 3 as lawmakers hurried to parliament to vote down Yoon’s martial law declaration. Heavily armed troops reportedly stormed the building, climbing fences, breaking windows, and landing by helicopter. The indictment alleges that Yoon instructed the chief of the capital defense command, Lee Jin-woo, to take aggressive actions to breach the National Assembly, stating, “Have you still not got in? What are you doing? Break down the door and drag them out, even if it means shooting.”
Yoon also allegedly urged the head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, General Kwak Jong-keun, to forcibly enter the National Assembly, emphasizing the urgency of gathering lawmakers to meet the quorum required to lift the martial law declaration.
After lawmakers successfully voted 190-0 to nullify Yoon’s declaration in the early hours of December 4, the report claims that Yoon remarked to Lee, “Even if it’s lifted, I can declare martial law a second or third time, so just keep going.”
The report includes evidence suggesting that Yoon had been discussing the possibility of declaring martial law with senior military officials as early as March, following a budget dispute between his party and the opposition.
In a speech shortly after the fallout, Yoon expressed apologies for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused, assuring the public that there would not be a second martial law declaration. Former defense minister Kim has since been arrested for his involvement in the failed attempt.
Opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo condemned Yoon’s actions, asserting that “the prosecution has laid bare the undeniable ugly truth about Yoon Suk Yeol, the treasonous ringleader,” and called for his immediate arrest.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on the validity of Yoon’s impeachment on Friday, with Yoon’s legal team present. The court will also determine the fate of Han Duck-soo, Yoon’s replacement, who was impeached on the same day for his refusal to finalize Yoon’s impeachment process.
