Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol is being tried on charges of rebellion related to the imposition of martial law in 2024, a move believed to be aimed at maintaining power.
In the final debate at the Seoul Central District Court on January 13, the special prosecutor described Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol, 65, as "the ringleader of a rebellion". The prosecution agency cited the investigation results as saying that he had planned since 2023 to control key state functions.
Denying the accusations, Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol affirmed that the declaration of martial law is within the constitutional authority of the president. He cited the prolonged legislative deadlock, and accused pro-Pyongyang opposition forces of plotting a "rebellion".
The emergency martial law declared in December 2024 immediately sparked widespread protests and was abolished by Congress after only 1 day.
This unexpected decree - the first time South Korea has applied martial law since 1980 - has pushed the country into a serious constitutional crisis. Hundreds of armed soldiers were deployed to key state agencies, including the National Assembly, to neutralize legislative power and prevent parliamentarians from meeting.
The opposition condemned this as a dangerous abuse of executive power, and the National Assembly quickly voted unanimously to reject the decree, forcing Mr. Yoon to lift the martial law after about 6 hours.
This move sparked large-scale protests and calls for Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol to resign, leading to political chaos and a successful impeachment at the end of the month.
Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested in January 2025 and officially impeached by the Constitutional Court in April, becoming the first incumbent president in South Korean history to be detained and criminally prosecuted while in office.
Although South Korean law allows the death penalty to be applied to crimes of rebellion, the country has not carried out any executions since 1997. Legal experts believe that life imprisonment is a more likely scenario.
The court is expected to issue a ruling in February.
The demise of Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol led to an early presidential election, in which his opponent, Mr. Lee Jae Myung, won.
The new administration pursues a policy of normalizing relations with North Korea, including ending propaganda broadcasting activities in the border area - a clear turning point compared to its predecessor's tough stance.
