Seoul – South Korea’s political crisis has deepened with the indictment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on fresh charges of abuse of power, further compounding the legal pressure on the ousted leader. This latest indictment, confirmed Thursday by the special investigation team, marks a significant escalation in Yoon’s ongoing legal troubles following his controversial removal from office.
Indicted Without Detention
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon has been indicted without physical detention on charges that include abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. This comes in addition to earlier charges filed in January 2025, when prosecutors accused Yoon of conspiring to incite an insurrection by declaring an illegal state of emergency on December 3, 2024.
At the time, prosecutors stated there was no justification—such as war, internal unrest, or national crisis—for imposing martial law. Yoon’s actions, they alleged, were politically motivated and aimed at consolidating power in the face of mounting opposition.
Political Fallout and Impeachment
Yoon’s attempted imposition of martial law triggered a constitutional crisis and led to his impeachment by parliament on December 14, 2024. After being officially removed from office on April 4, 2025, Yoon retreated to his private residence in the Seoul suburbs, resisting attempts by law enforcement to search the Blue House, citing the presence of classified national security materials.
He finally vacated the presidential residence on April 11, under increasing legal and political pressure.
Additional Investigations Underway
On top of the abuse of power and insurrection-related charges, Yoon is now also the subject of a separate investigation into alleged influence-peddling involving religious groups. Prosecutors recently conducted a search operation at his private home, reportedly seeking materials that might expose links to religious organizations suspected of having undue influence on political appointments and policymaking during his administration.
Mounting Pressure Ahead of Presidential Elections
With the next presidential election looming, the legal cases against Yoon are stirring up political tensions in an already polarized landscape. The Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung is currently leading in national opinion polls, positioning himself as a reformist alternative in a country grappling with institutional trust and democratic integrity.
Observers say Yoon’s prosecution may have long-term implications not only for his legacy but also for South Korea’s democratic checks and balances. If convicted, Yoon could face years of imprisonment and a permanent bar from holding public office.
The unfolding trials are set to dominate South Korean political discourse in the coming months, with the nation closely watching how its judicial system handles one of the most controversial presidencies in modern Korean history.
