Yoon Suk-yeol, the President of South Korea, was seen with his eyes closed during the fourth impeachment trial held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd, according to a joint photo coverage. Major foreign media outlets also reported as breaking news the indictment and arrest of President Yoon on charges of being the leader of an insurrection.
The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 26th (local time) that President Yoon would stand trial alongside former Minister of Defense, who was involved in proclaiming martial law, in an article dispatched from Seoul. The NYT stated, “Surveys indicate that many South Koreans support his impeachment and believe he committed treason,” though it noted that his strong supporters have called his impeachment a “fraud” and some entered the court during the arrest warrant issuance on the 19th, causing shock.
Many foreign media outlets highlighted the unprecedented nature of indicting a sitting South Korean president and explained South Korea’s constitutional and judicial system, which allows for prosecution of a sitting president only for charges of insurrection or treason.
CNN described the indictment as the latest development in a political whirlwind triggered by President Yoon’s declaration of martial law. It further explained that while sitting South Korean presidents are generally immune from criminal prosecution, this immunity does not cover charges of insurrection and treason.
Reuters noted the unprecedented event of charging a sitting Korean president and stated that if convicted, President Yoon could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Other foreign news agencies like Xinhua News and Kyodo News also quickly reported the news, noting it as the first time a sitting Korean president had been indicted.
Earlier, the Special Investigation Division for Martial Law (headed by Park Se-hyun, Seoul High Prosecutor) arrested and indicted President Yoon as the leader of an insurrection on the 26th, 54 days after declaring martial law on December 3rd.
Despite the indictment, President Yoon will remain in solitary confinement at the Seoul Detention Center, as his status as a detainee doesn’t change. Reports indicate that during the Lunar New Year holiday, he will be offered no special meals or screenings, only outdoor exercise time.
President Yoon is now able to meet with family members and receive letters, as the ban on his correspondence and meetings has been lifted, with the exception of visits during public holidays like Lunar New Year, when prisoner meetings are restricted, reducing the possibility of a visit from his family, including First Lady Kim Keon-hee.