Seoul. Kim Keon-hee, wife of ousted South Korean president Yoon Suk Yol, and his former prime minister Han Doc-soo were indicted by special prosecutors on Friday.

The action is part of an investigation into Yun’s declaration of martial law in December 2024 and the political crisis that followed. Yun tried to suppress the opposition-majority parliament by declaring martial law, which brought months of unrest in the country.

He was deposed in April after being impeached and re-arrested last month. The new government has appointed three special prosecutors to investigate cases related to corruption and martial law.

Kim’s team, led by special prosecutor Min Jong-ki, accused kim of financial rule violations and bribery. Another special prosecutor, Cho Yun-sook’s team, accused Han of inciting Yun to enforce martial law, destroying official documents and lying under the oath.

Several high-ranking officials, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, have been accused in the case. Investigations are also underway into sending troops to parliament, trying to stop lawmakers from voting, and covering up Marine’s death in flood rescue operations.

Although the court has been requested to arrest Han, the court has denied the possibility of fleeing or destroying evidence. But Special Counsel Park Ji-young said Han played an active role in legitimising Yun’s order.

Yun and Kim are likely to become the first former couple to go to jail at the same time on criminal charges. Critics have questioned whether Yun’s move was partly an attempt to divert attention from corruption allegations against Kim.

Kim and Yun have also been accused of exerting undue influence within the party and manipulating survey data to support their favorite candidates in the 2022 by-election. Kim has apologised but has indicated that he will deny the charges against him.

Han led the caretaker government after Yun’s dismissal, but resigned after failing to nominate the president.