A comprehensive six-month investigation has revealed that former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol orchestrated an elaborate year-long scheme to impose martial law and eliminate political opposition, according to findings announced Monday by independent counsel Cho Eun-suk.
The probe determined that Yoon and his military allies systematically planned to provoke North Korea into military confrontations to justify declaring martial law since October 2023. The conspirators allegedly reshuffled top military officials to install compliant associates while removing Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who opposed the plan. Investigators documented how Yoon’s administration hosted dinner parties to build consensus among military leaders for their unprecedented power grab.
Despite failing to elicit any substantial response from North Korea—which investigators attribute to Pyongyang’s preoccupation with supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine—Yoon proceeded with his martial law declaration in December 2024. He branded the liberal-controlled legislature as ‘anti-state forces’ requiring urgent removal. The decree lasted mere hours before collapsing under massive public protests and legislative resistance.
The investigation uncovered disturbing evidence of Yoon’s hostility toward political rivals, including recordings where he referred to main opposition figure Han Dong-hun as ‘a commie’ and threatened to ‘shoot him to death’ during meetings with military generals. The hostility stemmed from conflicts over scandals involving Yoon’s wife.
Hundreds of troops temporarily encircled parliament buildings during the brief martial law period, triggering massive public demonstrations that ultimately led to Yoon’s impeachment by lawmakers. The Constitutional Court formally ousted Yoon in April, followed by snap elections that brought Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae Myung to power in June.
Yoon currently remains jailed while facing rebellion charges, maintaining that his actions represented a legitimate attempt to gain public support against political obstruction. Alongside Yoon, 23 associates—including former Defense Minister Kim, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok—have been indicted for their roles in the martial law scheme.
In a related development, police raided Unification Church headquarters in Seoul as part of a separate bribery investigation involving numerous politicians. The ongoing probe includes allegations against Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, who stands accused of receiving bribes from church officials seeking business favors. Investigations have expanded to include potential corruption among both conservative and liberal politicians, prompting President Lee to call for a thorough examination of questionable ties between religious groups and political figures.