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South Korea’s special prosecutor has charged former President Yoon Suk Yeol with additional crimes, accusing him of abusing his authority and aiding an enemy nation related to his brief attempt to impose martial law last year.
Prosecutors claim Yoon aimed to stir a military conflict between Seoul and Pyongyang to justify declaring martial law, according to a spokesperson who cited evidence from a military official’s phone. The evidence reportedly includes references to “drones” and “surgical strike” as potential provocations against North Korea.
Yoon, who was ousted from office by the Constitutional Court in April, is currently facing trial on charges of insurrection linked to his failed martial law declaration. A conviction could result in the death penalty.
Yoon maintains he never intended to impose military rule, asserting he declared martial law solely to highlight corruption among opposition parties and to safeguard democracy from what he describes as “anti-state” elements.
The leaked memo alleges that Yoon, along with ex-defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and former military intelligence chief Yeo In-hyung, planned to provoke an attack from North Korea as a pretext for martial law. The prosecution says the three conspired to create widespread tension in South Korea to justify the declaration.
Kim and Yeo face the same additional charges. The special prosecutor’s team alleges that Yoon and his military leaders orchestrated a covert drone operation into North Korea to escalate tensions, thereby providing a rationale for martial law.
Last October, North Korea accused South Korea of deploying drones to scatter anti-Pyongyang leaflets over its territory, and it presented images of a crashed South Korean military drone as evidence. South Korea’s military chose not to comment at the time, citing ongoing investigations. Defense officials have since remained silent on the issue.
Kim is also on trial for his role in the martial law episode. Yeo reportedly expressed regret about not challenging Yoon’s orders, though prosecutors dismiss his explanations as baseless, citing notes found on his phone.
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