A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison for leading an insurrection through his brief declaration of martial law in 2024.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Yoon’s Dec. 3, 2024, decision aimed to paralyze the National Assembly and silence political opponents.
“The declaration of martial law resulted in enormous social costs, and it is difficult to find any indication that the defendant has expressed remorse,” said presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon. “We sentence Yoon to life imprisonment.”
Yoon, 65, had declared military rule in a late-night televised address, citing threats linked to North Korea and “anti-state forces.”
The order suspended civilian government and deployed troops to the National Assembly.
Lawmakers forced their way in and lifted the decree about six hours later.
He was later impeached, arrested, and charged with insurrection and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but South Korea’s unofficial moratorium on executions since 1997 meant the sentence effectively became life imprisonment.
Yoon has denied wrongdoing, claiming he acted to “safeguard freedom” and counter an opposition-led “legislative dictatorship.”
Prosecutors argued he acted out of “lust for power aimed at dictatorship and long-term rule.”
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to 30 years for his role in the crisis.
Thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse, holding signs saying “Yoon Great Again,” while heavy police presence maintained order.
Separately, Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, was sentenced in January to 20 months in prison on unrelated bribery charges from her time as first lady.
