Ousted South Korean president Yoon indicted on new charges over martial law decree
The Seoul Central District Court confirmed that Yoon will remain in detention for up to six months as he awaits trial for his December 3 martial law order, which triggered mass protests and political upheaval across the country.
The indictment follows the court's recent approval of an arrest warrant requested by independent counsel Cho Eun-suk, who is leading the probe into Yoon's presidency.
According to senior investigator Park Ji-young, Yoon is now charged with abuse of power for deliberately bypassing several Cabinet members in order to secure approval for the martial law decree — a direct violation of South Korean law, which mandates full Cabinet consent for such actions.
Investigators also accused Yoon of fabricating an official document to falsely meet the legal conditions required for declaring martial law.
That document, they say, was later destroyed in an attempt to erase evidence of misconduct.
These charges are in addition to previous indictments against Yoon, which include orchestrating a rebellion — a severe crime under South Korean law that carries a sentence of either life imprisonment or capital punishment.
Yoon's martial law decree in December 2024, framed by him as a desperate attempt to overcome legislative gridlock, backfired after lawmakers — including dissenters from his own party — convened in defiance and formally rejected the decree.
His government was forced to lift martial law within days, and the National Assembly swiftly moved to impeach him.
Describing the National Assembly as 'a den of criminals' and accusing the opposition Democratic Party of sabotaging his policies, Yoon had previously defended the decree as a necessary step to save the nation from 'anti-state forces.'
However, critics and legal experts have condemned it as an unconstitutional power grab.
After initially being detained in January, Yoon was briefly released in March but returned to custody last week following the new arrest warrant.
In April, the Constitutional Court formally dismissed him from the presidency, prompting a snap election that brought former opposition leader Lee Jae Myung to power.
President Lee has since endorsed legislation to uncover the full scope of Yoon's martial law actions and appointed Cho Eun-suk as independent counsel to lead the probe.
Investigators are also reportedly looking into separate allegations involving Yoon's wife and former officials from his administration.
In May, prosecutors charged Yoon with ordering security forces to block access to government buildings, including the National Assembly and election commission offices — actions deemed outside the lawful scope of military and police responsibilities.
The unfolding legal case against Yoon marks one of the most serious constitutional crises in South Korea's modern political history and could result in life imprisonment. — Agencies
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Argaam
3 days ago
- Argaam
KSA issues law on non-Saudis property ownership
Saudi Arabia issued today, July 25, the law on non-Saudis property ownership, which has been recently approved by the Cabinet. The 15-Article law will come into effect 180 days after publication in the Official Gazette. Based on Article 2 of the law, non-Saudis may own real estate or acquire other in-kind rights over property within the Kingdom, in the geographic scope determined by the Cabinet. The Cabinet shall determine the geographic scope where non-Saudis may own real estate or acquire other rights in kind over property, the type of these rights, the maximum ownership percentages for non-Saudis within the defined geographic scope, the maximum period permitted duration for non-Saudis to acquire usufruct rights over property, along with any regulations related to non-Saudis owning property or acquiring in-kind rights. A non-Saudi natural person who is legally residing in the Kingdom may own one property designated for personal residence outside the geographic scope referred to above—excluding the cities of Makkah and Madinah. The right of non-Saudis to own property or acquire other in kind rights—mentioned in the above section—within the cities of Makkah and Madinah shall be limited to Muslim natural persons only. Moreover, the law stipulates that without prejudice to any fees or taxes prescribed by law, a fee shall be imposed and collected by the Authority on the value of a non-Saudi's disposal of in-kind rights over property in the Kingdom, not exceeding 5% of that value. Without prejudice to any fees or taxes prescribed by law, the authority shall impose a fee of no more than 5% of the value of the non-Saudi's disposal of real estate rights in the Kingdom. In the event of a violation of this law—and without prejudice to any harsher penalty stipulated in another law—any person who violates this law shall be penalized.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia publishes new law allowing foreigners to own property
By Anas Alyusuf RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has officially published the full details of its new law regulating real estate ownership by non-Saudis, following Cabinet approval earlier this month. The comprehensive law, released in the official gazette Umm Al-Qura on Friday, will take effect 180 days from publication and marks a major overhaul in the Kingdom's approach to foreign ownership of property. The new system grants non-Saudis — including individuals, companies, and non-profit entities — the right to own property or obtain other real rights over real estate within designated geographic zones to be determined by the Cabinet. These rights include usufruct (beneficial use), leaseholds, and other real estate interests, but will be subject to a range of controls and restrictions based on location, property type, and usage. The law preserves all real estate rights that were legally established for non-Saudis prior to the new regulation taking it clearly states that ownership remains prohibited in certain locations and regions, notably in Makkah and Madinah, except under conditions for individual Muslim owners.A key provision in the law requires the Council of Ministers — upon a proposal by the Real Estate General Authority and with the approval of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs — to define the allowable zones for foreign ownership and set upper limits on ownership percentages and durations for usufruct individuals legally residing in Saudi Arabia may own one residential property outside restricted areas for personal housing purposes. This does not apply to Makkah and regulation also includes provisions for corporate ownership. Non-listed companies with foreign shareholders, as well as investment funds and licensed special-purpose entities, will be permitted to acquire real estate throughout the Kingdom, including in Makkah and Madinah, provided the ownership supports operational needs or employee companies and investment vehicles may also acquire property in line with Saudi financial market missions and international organizations can also own premises for official use and residence of their representatives, subject to Foreign Ministry approval and reciprocity ensure compliance, non-Saudi entities must register with the competent authority before acquiring or real rights become valid only after formal registration in the national real estate law introduces a real estate transfer fee of up to 5% for transactions involving non-Saudis, and outlines a penalty framework for include fines up to SR10 million and, in severe cases such as falsified information, the forced sale of the property with proceeds remitted to the state after deductions.A dedicated committee under the Real Estate General Authority will be formed to investigate violations and impose penalties. Decisions of this committee can be appealed to the administrative courts within 60 the law repeals a prior rule that prohibited GCC citizens from owning property in Makkah and Madinah, effectively standardizing rules for all non-Saudi entities under a single executive regulations, which will detail implementation mechanisms and specify geographic boundaries and conditions, are expected to be issued within six new law replaces the previous foreign property ownership legislation issued under Royal Decree No. M/15 in 2000.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
South Korean prosecutors raid ex-first lady's home in corruption probe
SEOUL — South Korean prosecutors raided the home of former First Lady Kim Keon Hee on Friday as part of an expanding investigation into corruption allegations, Yonhap News Agency reported. The search, led by Special Counsel Min Joong-ki's team, also targeted the office of Covana Contents — an arts exhibition firm previously operated by Kim — ahead of her scheduled questioning on August 6. Kim is under scrutiny for alleged involvement in stock manipulation and the illegal acceptance of a luxury handbag. Authorities are also examining whether she received luxury gifts from a Unification Church official seeking influence over major development projects, including a $1.5 billion funding initiative in Cambodia, a United Nations office bid, and a news channel acquisition. On Thursday, Special Counsel Min broadened the investigation to include links to Cambodia and Mongolia. A separate probe led by Special Counsel Cho Eun-seok is investigating South Korean military intelligence efforts to contact North Korea's embassy in Mongolia days before President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Dec. South Korean intelligence officers were reportedly detained in Mongolia in connection with the attempted former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was questioned Friday over his alleged role in the controversial martial law declaration, which was quickly rescinded amid public twin investigations continue to place growing legal pressure on both former President Yoon and his wife, deepening South Korea's political turmoil. — Agencies
