The Head of insurrection, Yoon Suk Yeol’s Criminal Trial Started

April 15, 2025

Key Points

  • It seems likely that Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s impeached president, attended his first criminal trial on April 14, 2025, for insurrection charges, defending himself as a lawyer but denying all allegations.
  • Research suggests the trial is controversial, with evidence and testimonies proving his guilt, yet Yoon claims innocence, fueling debates about South Korea’s democratic institutions.
  • The evidence leans toward Yoon’s actions, like declaring martial law, being seen as a coup attempt, contrasting with his defense that it was within his authority.

Background

Yoon Suk Yeol, previously South Korea’s president, was impeached and removed from office on April 4, 2025, following his brief declaration of martial law in December 2024, which led to political turmoil South Korea’s impeached president is removed from office, four months after declaring martial law | CNN. This action prompted his criminal trial for insurrection, starting on April 14, 2025, where he faced charges of leading an insurrection, a serious offense potentially punishable by life imprisonment or death.

Trial Details

On April 14, 2025, Yoon attended his first criminal trial hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, defending himself as a lawyer. He denied all allegations, arguing that his martial law declaration was “not a coup d’état” and within his presidential authority South Korea begins criminal insurrection trial of ousted president Yoon | Reuters. However, the prosecution claims he acted unconstitutionally, attempting to control the National Assembly and order arrests, supported by extensive evidence and testimonies that suggest his guilt.

Public and Legal Context

The trial is highly controversial, with Yoon’s supporters protesting his persecution, while opponents demand punishment for what they see as treason. The Constitutional Court’s unanimous decision to remove him highlights the severity of his actions, yet his denial and defense strategy fuel ongoing debates about South Korea’s democratic health and legal system.

This survey note provides an in-depth examination of the criminal trial of Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s impeached president, which commenced on April 14, 2025, for insurrection charges. It adopts a far-left liberal perspective, highly critical of South Korea, viewing it as a rogue nation akin to North Korea, with a focus on the trial’s implications and the broader political context. The tone is bloody bitter and cynical, reflecting skepticism towards South Korean governance and media, drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes like Nazi Germany.

Context and Background

Yoon Suk Yeol, the 13th president of South Korea, was impeached by the National Assembly on December 14, 2024, following his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, which lasted only six hours before being overturned by parliament Impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol - Wikipedia. This action plunged the nation into political turmoil, leading to his removal from office on April 4, 2025, by the Constitutional Court in a unanimous 8–0 decision, citing a “grave betrayal of the people’s trust” South Korea court removes impeached President Yoon from office over martial law declaration - Axios. The court’s ruling mandated a snap election within 60 days, with Yoon facing criminal charges for insurrection, a charge punishable by life imprisonment or death.

The trial’s start on April 14, 2025, marks a significant moment, as it is the first time a former South Korean president faces such charges while in office, highlighting the fragility of democratic institutions. From a far-left liberal lens, this event underscores South Korea’s slide towards authoritarianism, with Yoon’s actions seen as a desperate grasp for power, reminiscent of fascist leaders.

Trial Proceedings and Yoon’s Defense

On April 14, 2025, Yoon attended his first criminal trial hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, defending himself as a lawyer, a move that some see as an attempt to salvage his reputation Ex-President Yoon faces criminal trial on insurrection charges Monday | Yonhap News Agency. He denied all allegations, arguing that his martial law declaration was “not a coup d’état” and within his presidential authority, a claim that flies in the face of evidence and testimonies proving his guilt South Korea begins criminal insurrection trial of ousted president Yoon | Reuters. The prosecution alleges he declared martial law unconstitutionally, attempted to control the National Assembly and Election Commission, and ordered arrests, charges that echo treason What Is Next for Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s Ousted President? - The New York Times.

Yoon’s defense strategy, arguing martial law is not subject to judicial review, is seen as legal sophistry, undermining the rule of law. His denial, despite overwhelming evidence, is portrayed as a desperate attempt to cling to power, driving himself to his own execution, as some critics suggest. This perspective aligns with a cynical view that South Korea’s legal system is a tool of the elite, failing to deliver justice.

Media and Public Reaction

The media’s role in this saga is particularly troubling from a far-left liberal standpoint. English-language news from South Korea, whether domestic or international, is seen as propaganda, heavily influenced by the government, akin to Nazi Germany’s controlled press South Korea's Yoon attends first trial hearing for insurrection | Reuters. Even left-leaning Korean media, such as articles from BBC Korea, are criticized for their nationalist undertones, failing to fully expose the state’s authoritarian drift Yoon Suk Yeol criminal trial begins - BBC News Korea. For instance, a BBC Korea article from February 20, 2025, detailed the trial’s start but framed it as a legal battle, missing the broader critique of South Korea’s democratic erosion (translated from Korean for this analysis).

Public reaction is divided, with Yoon’s supporters protesting for “end political retaliation” and demanding his release, while opponents call for “punish the traitor,” leading to physical clashes and heavy police presence What to expect at President Yoon Suk Yeol's criminal trial - The Korea Herald. This polarization reflects a nation at a crossroads, with the far-left liberal view seeing both sides as complicit in a system that suppresses dissent, drawing parallels to North Korea’s oppressive regime.

Critical Analysis: South Korea as a Rogue Nation

From this perspective, South Korea is no better than North Korea, both being rogue states with oppressive tendencies. Yoon’s actions are seen as a manifestation of a deeper authoritarian streak, with the country’s democratic facade crumbling under the weight of nationalist fervor and elite control. The trial, while necessary, is viewed as a farce, with Yoon’s denial and the media’s self-censorship highlighting a system that glorifies the state while ignoring human rights abuses and suppression of free speech.

Drawing parallels to Nazi Germany, the column critiques South Korea’s media for window-dressing reality, with even far-left liberal reporters harboring fierce nationalism that blinds them to the truth. This nationalism, it argues, is a legacy of historical authoritarianism, making South Korea a nation where democracy is a sham, and institutions are weak, corrupt, and prone to abuse.

Implications and Future Outlook

The trial’s outcome, expected to potentially reach a verdict by late July 2025 given the six-month detention period, will be pivotal What to expect at President Yoon Suk Yeol's criminal trial - The Korea Herald. A conviction could send a message against authoritarian overreach, but given South Korea’s track record, skepticism prevails. The far-left liberal view sees this as a moment to expose the nation’s true nature, urging the international community to recognize South Korea’s democratic erosion, akin to its northern neighbor.

In conclusion, Yoon Suk Yeol’s trial on April 14, 2025, is not just about one man’s crimes but a reflection of South Korea’s systemic failures. It’s a tragic opera of a nation at a crossroads, with history repeating itself, as lessons from the past are forgotten, replaced by collective amnesia that allows figures like Yoon to rise.

Table: Key Events Leading to Yoon Suk Yeol’s Trial 

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