South Korean President Imprisoned by Prosecutors Charged with 'Rebellion'

Prosecutors in South Korea have charged suspended and imprisoned President Yoon Suk-yeol with leading a rebellion following a brief imposition of martial law last December. Yoon's lawyers and the main opposition party confirmed this news on Sunday, February 26. This charge is unprecedented in South Korean history, and Yoon's legal team described it as the 'worst decision' by the judiciary, although the main opposition party welcomed the action. In a surprising move late on December 13, the South Korean president declared martial law, but his order was revoked six hours later by a parliamentary resolution. Yoon's unexpected martial law order, which included a ban on political and parliamentary activities and media control, plunged the country into a political crisis. This decision also led to the dismissal and suspension of the South Korean Prime Minister, and several senior military officials were tried for their involvement in the rebellion. Yoon Suk-yeol, the suspended South Korean president, was arrested after a few days of armed resistance from his security team against arresting forces, becoming the first sitting president in South Korea to be detained and has been held in solitary confinement since January 15. The charge of 'rebellion' is one of the few crimes for which a South Korean president does not have immunity and could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty, although South Korea has not executed anyone for decades. The prosecutor's office has yet to respond to this charge, but South Korean media have confirmed the news. Concurrently with the criminal proceedings, the Supreme Court of South Korea is reviewing whether Yoon Suk-yeol should be permanently removed from office or restored to power. The court has a maximum of 180 days to make a decision. If Yoon Suk-yeol is removed from office, a presidential election will be held within 60 days.