South Korean court approves arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law decree
New York PostJUL 8
South Korea's Ex-President Yoon Rearrested Over Martial Law
Above: Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at a court to attend a hearing in Seoul on July 9, 2025. Image copyright: Kim Hong-Ji/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
This arrest represents the pursuit of necessary accountability for a dangerous authoritarian power grab that threatened South Korea's democracy. Yoon's martial law attempt was an illegal rebellion designed to seize control and detain political opponents, and requires swift justice to prevent evidence destruction.
Opposition narrative
This detention appears politically motivated and excessive, targeting a former president with procedural violations rather than substantive evidence. The rushed investigation lacks a proper basis and represents partisan persecution of conservative leadership by liberal prosecutors.