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Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to life over 2024 martial law declaration
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Court finds former president guilty of leading insurrection in South Korea
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Judge cites “enormous social costs” of martial law action
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a court found him guilty of leading an insurrection linked to his 2024 declaration of martial law.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon ruled that the charge of insurrection leadership had been proven against the 65-year-old ex-leader.
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“As to defendant Yoon Suk Yeol, the crime of insurrection leadership is established,” the judge declared. “We sentence Yoon to life imprisonment.”
The court held that the former president’s decision to impose martial law in December 2024 triggered serious political and social consequences across the country.
According to the judge, the declaration resulted in “enormous social costs,” adding that there was little evidence the defendant had shown remorse for his actions.
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, arguing that the martial law order amounted to a direct assault on democratic institutions.
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Earlier proceedings at the Seoul Central District Court had identified Mr Yoon as the leader of the December 3, 2024 insurrection.
The court found that the martial law declaration prompted military forces to attempt to seize control of parliament during the crisis.
Throughout the trial, Mr Yoon denied inciting insurrection. He maintained that the declaration of martial law fell within his constitutional powers and was intended to prevent opposition lawmakers from obstructing government operations.
Mr Yoon was previously impeached and removed from office over the controversial action.
