Ex-South Korea President Yoon tried to provoke Pyongyang into armed aggression, prosecutor says

SEOUL — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to provoke North Korea into carrying out a military aggression to create justification for declaring martial law in December 2024 and to eliminate political opponents, a special prosecutor said on Monday.

Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok told a briefing that his team indicted 24 people, including Yoon and five former cabinet members, for their alleged involvement following a six-month investigation into insurrection charges.

Cho said the investigation found evidence suggesting that efforts to escalate tensions with North Korea were part of a broader plan to legitimize the imposition of martial law and consolidate political power. The indictments mark one of the most significant legal actions against a former South Korean leader in recent history.

Yoon and the other accused individuals have not publicly responded to the charges. The case is expected to have major political and legal repercussions as it proceeds through the courts.

-Reporting by Heejin Kim, Jack KimEditing by Ed Davies