A South Korean court on Thursday sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection through his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024.
The ruling was delivered by Judge Ji Gwi-yeon at the Seoul Central District Court, who held that Yoon deployed troops to the National Assembly in an attempt to silence political opposition and undermine democratic governance.
“The court finds that the intention was to paralyse the assembly for a considerable period,” the judge said. He added that the declaration of martial law caused significant social disruption and noted there was no clear sign of remorse from the former president. “We sentence Yoon to life imprisonment,” he ruled.
Yoon, 65, had abruptly announced martial law in a televised address, claiming the move was necessary to eliminate what he described as “anti-state forces” within the legislature. The decision triggered widespread political turmoil, protests, and condemnation both domestically and internationally.
Following the declaration, Yoon was impeached, arrested, and charged with several offences, including insurrection and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors had earlier pushed for the death penalty, the maximum punishment under South Korean law for insurrection. However, South Korea has not carried out executions since 1997, meaning life imprisonment is effectively the harshest enforceable sentence.
Former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun was also convicted for his involvement and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse ahead of the verdict, holding placards and chanting in his support. Heavy security was deployed around the court complex, with police forming barricades using buses to prevent unrest.
Yoon has remained in solitary confinement while contesting multiple charges. He has denied any wrongdoing, insisting his actions were intended to protect the country and restore constitutional order. Prosecutors, however, argued that his actions were driven by a desire to consolidate power and extend his rule.
The crisis began on December 3, 2024, when Yoon declared martial law, suspended civilian governance, and ordered military control, citing alleged threats linked to opposition forces and North Korean influence. The order was lifted just six hours later after lawmakers forced their way into the assembly and voted to overturn it, even barricading entrances to prevent soldiers from interfering.
The move sparked nationwide protests, rattled financial markets, and raised concerns among key allies, including the United States.
In a separate case, Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, was earlier sentenced to 20 months in prison over bribery-related offences committed during her time as first lady.
Yoon’s conviction marks one of the most dramatic political downfalls in South Korea’s modern democratic history, reviving painful memories of past military interventions in government and underscoring the country’s commitment to holding its leaders accountable under the law.
South Korea’s Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life in Prison Over Martial Law Insurrection
