Special Counsel Indicts 58, Including Ex-President Yoon, in Martial Law Probe
South Korea's special counsel, Kwon Chang-young, announced on Monday the final results of its 180-day investigation, indicting 58 people, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The team wrapped up its probe on Sunday, which had been launched in February to investigate allegations that were not fully addressed by three previous special counsel teams, according to Yonhap News Agency and The Korea Times.
The investigation reopened probes into allegations stemming from Yoon's failed 2024 martial law bid, corruption allegations tied to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, and the 2023 death of a Marine. As part of its findings, Kwon's team indicted Yoon on charges of abusing his power by instructing officials to justify his failed martial law bid to the United States and other major partner nations, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Former National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik and former Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo were also indicted over their alleged roles in the case. The team separately indicted Yoon's wife, Kim Keon Hee, on charges of meddling in a presidential residence relocation project in 2022, accusing her of unfairly intervening to award construction work to an unqualified company.
With the conclusion of its mandate, Kwon's team transferred 46 cases, involving 150 people, to police for further investigation.
Yoon's Indictment and Trial Status
On Aug. 12, the special counsel indicted Yoon on charges of instructing officials to justify his martial law bid, marking its first indictment against the jailed former president, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. With this new indictment, Yoon faces a total of eight trials in connection with his imposition of martial law in December 2024, his wife's alleged corruption, and other offenses. Prior to this, the number of trials stood at seven after the Supreme Court finalized a seven-year prison term for Yoon's obstruction of investigators' attempt to detain him following the martial law bid.
The indictment concerns allegations that Yoon instructed the presidential National Security Office and the foreign ministry immediately after declaring martial law to send messages justifying the emergency order to key nations, including the U.S., Britain, Japan, and members of the European Union. Shin Won-sik allegedly executed the order together with his deputy, Kim Tae-hyo, through the National Intelligence Service, according to Yonhap. Shin was also indicted on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection and abuse of power.
Indictment of Former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung
On Aug. 20, the special counsel indicted former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung without detention over his alleged involvement in Yoon's martial law bid, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. Shim is accused of playing a key role in the botched martial law bid and abusing his authority in the process. Specifically, he allegedly reviewed the dispatch of prosecutors to a joint martial law investigation headquarters on Dec. 3, 2024, the night when Yoon declared martial law, at the direction of former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae.
Kwon's team also suspects that Shim discussed response measures regarding crimes subject to military court jurisdiction and was involved in drafting a document outlining trial jurisdiction under martial law. In response, Shim's representatives issued a statement asserting that the special counsel had ignored evidence and legal principles and vowed to prove in court that the indictment was unjustified.
Special Counsel's Remarks and Future Recommendations
Kwon acknowledged limitations in the investigation due to its 180-day mandate and proposed installing a permanent special investigation team to probe insurrection-related charges, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. In a press conference, Kwon said, "A long-term investigation is needed as the nature of insurrection crimes is collective, organized and long term."