The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, reported on Wednesday that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had been indicted and detained. This report came three days after his indictment. The newspaper also highlighted that this marks the first time in South Korea’s constitutional history that a sitting president has been detained and put on trial.
The newspaper published an article titled “Yoon Suk Yeol, the Puppet Leader, Indicted and Reduced to a Defendant in South Korea,” stating, “As the impeachment trial and criminal investigation into Yoon, who caused extreme social and political turmoil through martial law schemes, gain momentum, the puppet leader has been indicted and detained on charges of insurrection.”
It further reported, “The puppet prosecution twice requested an extension of the detention period for further investigation, but the court denied both requests. As a result, on January 26, just one day before the expiration of his detention period, Yoon was indicted and sent to trial while in custody.” The article continued, “Ultimately, Yoon now faces both an impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court and a criminal trial at the Seoul Central District Court.”
The newspaper stated that prosecutors had “already secured sufficient testimonies and evidence linking Yoon to charges of insurrection” and that “ten key figures, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun and other military and police leaders who actively participated in the martial law plan, have also been indicted and detained.” The report added, “With this indictment, Yoon, now a defendant, will remain in custody until the first trial verdict is delivered.”
Quoting opposition parties and civic groups, the Rodong Sinmun stated that “all those who incited insurrection must be held accountable” and described Yoon’s indictment as “a rightful measure against the leader of an attempted coup.”
Citing global media coverage, the newspaper emphasized, “Foreign media outlets are highlighting that this is the first time in South Korean constitutional history that a sitting president has been indicted and detained,” and added, “Just 54 days after the declaration of martial law, Yoon Suk Yeol has become the first sitting president to be disgraced by being reduced to a criminal defendant.”
Last week, Rodong Sinmun reported in detail on Yoon’s detention, and the week before, it covered his arrest.
Recently, North Korea has been actively informing its residents about Yoon’s political status and the situation in South Korea. This suggests that North Korean authorities are closely monitoring developments related to the December 3 martial law declaration and its aftermath.