Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

South Korea is facing a major political crisis after its former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was rearrested for trying to bring martial law to the country last year. This shocking event has left many citizens worried about the safety of their democracy.

What is martial law and what did Yoon do?

Martial law is when the military takes control of a country instead of the elected government. It is usually done only in extreme emergencies, like during a war or major disaster, to keep order. But last year, in December, Yoon suddenly declared martial law without any real emergency. The martial law lasted for six hours before it was stopped by other leaders and public protests.

Why was Yoon impeached?

Because of this action, Yoon was impeached in April this year. Impeachment means he was removed from the president’s position by the lawmakers because they believed he broke the Constitution and misused his power. People were shocked because no one expected a president to bring martial law without a reason in modern South Korea.

Why was he arrested again now?

On Wednesday, a senior judge at Seoul’s Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon. The judge said that there was a strong possibility that Yoon could destroy important evidence if he remained free while waiting for his trial. This means the court believes he might try to hide or remove evidence of his crimes.

What are the charges against Yoon?

Yoon is facing five main charges, according to a special team of lawyers who are investigating him. Some of these charges include:

• Leading an insurrection, which means trying to illegally take over the country’s power.
• Violating the rights of cabinet members, as he did not invite some important ministers to a meeting before declaring martial law, which is against government rules.
• Misuse of power and abuse of authority during his time as president.

If found guilty, Yoon could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty, which is the maximum punishment in South Korea for crimes like insurrection.

How did his arrest happen?

Yoon came to court on Wednesday with his lawyers. There was a seven-hour-long hearing where the lawyers and prosecutors argued about his arrest. Yoon denied all the charges and said he did nothing wrong. But after the hearing, he was taken to the Seoul Detention Center where he will stay until the court’s final decision on his arrest.

Was this his first arrest?

No. This is actually the second time he has been arrested this year. In January, he was arrested for the same case. At that time, there was a long standoff at his house. Police and investigators had to cut barbed wire and climb over barricades to enter his home in central Seoul because he refused to surrender. He was released two months later after the court said there were technical problems with how he was arrested. But even after his release, his trial continued because the charges were very serious.

What evidence do prosecutors have against him?

Reports say that prosecutors found strong evidence showing that Yoon ordered military drones to fly over North Korea. This was done to make North Korea angry and react, so that Yoon could use their reaction as an excuse to declare martial law in South Korea. This plan, if true, was very dangerous because it could have started a war on the Korean peninsula.

Are other officials involved too?

Yes. Many other senior officials who worked under Yoon are also facing serious charges like insurrection and abuse of authority. These officials supported Yoon’s martial law plan and helped him in this illegal action. They too could face long prison sentences if found guilty.

What is insurrection and why is it important here?

Insurrection means trying to take control of a country by force or illegal means. In South Korea, the president has immunity, meaning they cannot be punished for many crimes while they are in office. But insurrection is an exception. Even a sitting president can be arrested for insurrection. Now that Yoon is no longer president, he is also open to being charged with other crimes.

Who is the new president now?

After Yoon was impeached, South Korea held a snap election in June to choose a new leader. The people elected Lee Jae-myung as their new president. Lee campaigned on the promise to make South Korea’s democracy stronger and ensure such a crisis never happens again.

What steps has President Lee taken?

President Lee has formed a special investigation team to look into all the wrongdoings that happened under Yoon’s leadership. This team is checking not only the martial law case but also other criminal allegations related to corruption, misuse of power, and violation of people’s rights during Yoon’s time in office.

Why is this news so important for South Korea?

This news is very important because:

• It shows that even powerful leaders cannot break the law and get away with it.
• It teaches that democracy is strong when the law applies to everyone equally.
• It reminds people about the dangers of martial law and the misuse of military power in a peaceful country.
• It shows that South Korea is working to protect its democracy by punishing those who try to harm it.

South Korea is now hoping that with the new president and strong investigations, peace and democracy will become stronger in the country. Many people feel sad and shocked that a president tried to misuse power, but they are also happy that the law is working to keep their nation safe.