South Koreas president charged with insurrection over declaration of martial law
CNNJAN 14
South Korea's Yoon Charged with Insurrection
Above: Impeached Pres. Yoon Suk Yeol attends a hearing in his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court on Jan. 21, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea. Image copyright: Kim Hong-Ji/Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The martial law declaration was a calculated attempt to seize total power, evidenced by the deployment of armed forces to parliament, orders to arrest political leaders, and efforts to control media outlets. Yoon's actions were intended to exclude state authority and disrupt the constitutional order, thereby inciting riots and destabilizing the South Korean democracy.
Narrative B
Yoon's declaration of martial law can't be recognized as insurrection. The declaration was a legitimate act of governance intended to raise awareness about the danger posed by the liberal-controlled National Assembly, which was paralyzing the government and sympathizing with North Korea. The deployment of troops was merely to maintain order, not to seize power.