South Korea’s independent Special Counsel Cho Eun-seok announced on Monday the conclusion of his investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law, revealing allegations that Yoon sought to deliberately provoke a military conflict with North Korea to justify seizing emergency powers.
Speaking at a press briefing outside the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, Cho stated that Yoon had begun preparations to take control of the state no later than October 2023, more than a year before declaring martial law on December 3, 2024. Witness testimony cited by the investigation indicated that Yoon had repeatedly discussed the use of “emergency powers” with close aides as early as 2022, shortly after taking office.
According to the findings, Yoon’s objective was to use military force to suspend parliamentary functions, seize control of both the legislature and judiciary, dissolve the National Assembly, and replace it with an unelected emergency governing body. Opposition political activity was to be reclassified as “anti-state acts” or “insurrection,” allowing for the arrest and elimination of political opponents.
The investigation further concluded that Yoon, working alongside then–Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and senior military officials, directed covert operations in October 2024 aimed at provoking North Korea into a military response. The resulting escalation, investigators said, was intended to serve as the legal and political pretext for declaring martial law.
As part of those operations, South Korean military drones were flown over North Korean territory, including over Pyongyang itself, with some reportedly dropping propaganda leaflets. While North Korea issued formal protests at the time, it did not respond militarily to the incursions, frustrating efforts to trigger a crisis.
Despite the lack of a North Korean response, Yoon proceeded with the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. The move was swiftly rejected by the National Assembly and overturned within hours, triggering a political crisis that culminated in Yoon’s impeachment less than two weeks later and his arrest the following month.
To date, 24 individuals have been indicted in connection with the case, including Yoon himself, five former cabinet members such as former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and multiple senior military officials. Charges range from insurrection and abuse of power to aiding an enemy state, obstruction of justice, perjury, and other related offenses. Several of the charges carry potential life sentences.