Ex-President Yoon Faces Trial Over Martial Law Bid

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is on trial for allegedly attempting to lead an insurrection by declaring martial law in December 2024, a move that lasted about six hours before being reversed following resistance from parliament and public protests. The declaration led to months of political crisis, culminating in Yoon's impeachment and removal from office by the Constitutional Court. As part of a broader investigation, police recently raided Yoon’s former presidential office and security detail, seizing encrypted phone servers and CCTV footage tied to alleged obstruction of arrest and related crimes. Yoon denies all charges, maintaining that his actions did not amount to a coup. He appeared in court on April 14, 2025, with the next hearing scheduled for April 21, and the trial is expected to continue for several months. The case has fueled massive rallies among Yoon’s supporters and remains a major force in South Korean political debate.