South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on charges of attempting to incite a rebellion, marking a historic and politically charged legal battle in the country’s modern history. His legal team is fighting for his release, arguing that his arrest was unjustified and politically motivated.
The hearing, held on Thursday at the Seoul Central District Court, drew heightened security measures, as dozens of his supporters gathered outside to demand his freedom. The court proceedings centered around witness selection and trial preparations, while also reviewing a formal request by Yoon’s lawyers to cancel his arrest and allow him to be freed pending trial.
Yoon’s arrest on January 15 followed a dramatic weeklong standoff at his presidential residence, making him the first-ever sitting South Korean president to be taken into custody. The former prosecutor-turned-president is now facing serious legal and political consequences, with prosecutors alleging that his martial law declaration in December was an unconstitutional attempt to seize power by forcibly shutting down the National Assembly and detaining opposition lawmakers and election officials.
On January 26, authorities formally indicted Yoon on rebellion charges, citing his attempt to bypass democratic institutions and consolidate authority. In South Korea, sitting presidents typically enjoy immunity from most criminal prosecutions, but exceptions exist for rebellion and treason which is why Yoon is now on trial. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The crisis began on December 3, when Yoon unexpectedly announced martial law on live television, stating that the drastic measure was necessary to “safeguard a liberal South Korea from North Korean communist threats and to eliminate antistate elements”.
However, his actions triggered mass protests, with thousands of angry demonstrators flooding the streets in opposition. South Korean lawmakers swiftly voted to overturn the decree, repealing it within just six hours of its announcement. Despite the short duration of martial law, prosecutors argue that Yoon’s intentions were clear—he sought to undermine democracy and suppress opposition voices.
Yoon’s defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, along with national police chief Cho Ji-ho and several high-ranking military officials, were also arrested and indicted on charges of rebellion, abuse of power, and conspiracy linked to the decree.
The rebellion trial is not Yoon’s only battle he is simultaneously facing an impeachment process in South Korea’s Constitutional Court. On December 14, the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to suspend Yoon’s presidential powers and impeach him, citing gross misconduct and abuse of authority.
The Constitutional Court now holds the power to either formally remove him from office or dismiss the impeachment motion, which would reinstate his presidency. Should the court rule in favor of his permanent removal, South Korea will be required to hold fresh presidential elections within 60 days.
This situation has thrown South Korea into a deep political crisis, leaving the country in a state of uncertainty.
The ongoing political and legal turmoil has also had diplomatic consequences. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has struggled to establish stability, and South Korea’s relationship with its closest ally, the United States, has been impacted.
Al Jazeera correspondent Rob McBride, reporting from Seoul, noted that South Korea’s acting president has yet to hold direct talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring the political instability gripping the country. The lack of communication between Seoul and Washington has raised concerns about South Korea’s strategic direction, especially amid heightened regional tensions.
Despite his arrest, Yoon remains defiant, maintaining a stronghold of loyal supporters who continue to protest against the legal proceedings. Last month, hundreds of his backers rioted outside the Seoul Western District Court, decrying his arrest as a politically motivated witch hunt.
Yoon himself has refused to back down, publicly attacking liberal rivals and even endorsing conspiracy theories about election fraud further fueling divisions within the nation.
With both the criminal and impeachment trials progressing, South Korea’s political future hangs in the balance. If Yoon is convicted, it could set a historic precedent for presidential accountability. If he is exonerated or reinstated, the ruling could deepen national divisions.
The coming weeks will be crucial as South Korea’s judiciary and Constitutional Court determine Yoon’s fate and the direction of the nation’s democracy.
