Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Receives Life Sentence for Insurrection
In a landmark ruling, former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been found guilty of insurrection and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Seoul Central District Court. The verdict stems from his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024, which the court determined was a deliberate scheme to paralyze the National Assembly and undermine democratic processes.
Court Delivers Harsh Verdict on Martial Law Plot
Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon declared that the crime of insurrection leadership was firmly established against defendant Yoon Suk Yeol. The judge emphasized that the martial law declaration resulted in enormous social costs and noted the absence of any indication that Yoon had expressed remorse for his actions. This ruling comes after a special prosecutor had demanded the death penalty, arguing that Yoon's conduct posed a severe threat to the nation's democracy and warranted the ultimate punishment.
However, most legal analysts had anticipated a life sentence, observing that Yoon's poorly orchestrated power grab did not lead to any casualties. South Korea has maintained an effective moratorium on executions since 1997, with ongoing calls for abolition of the death penalty influencing judicial considerations.
Dramatic Court Scene and Public Reaction
As Yoon arrived at the Seoul court for the verdict, hundreds of police officers monitored the tense scene. Supporters rallied outside the judicial complex, while nearby critics demanded the death penalty, their protests intensifying as the prison bus transporting Yoon passed by. The court will also proceed with cases against seven former military and police officials accused of enforcing Yoon's martial law decree.
Yoon's Defense and Subsequent Legal Proceedings
Yoon, a staunch conservative, had defended the six-hour martial law decree as necessary to prevent what he called anti-state liberal forces from obstructing his political agenda. The measure was ultimately lifted after lawmakers broke through a military blockade and unanimously voted to nullify it.
Yoon was initially suspended from office on December 14, 2024, following impeachment by the National Assembly, and was formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. He has been in custody since July 2025, facing multiple criminal trials, with the rebellion charge carrying the most severe punishment.
Last month, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for separate offenses including resisting arrest, fabricating the martial law proclamation, and bypassing a legally required full Cabinet meeting before declaring the measure.
Related Convictions of Cabinet Members
The Seoul Central Court has also convicted two of Yoon's Cabinet members in related cases. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo received a 23-year sentence for attempting to legitimize the decree through a Cabinet Council meeting, falsifying official records, and lying under oath. Han has appealed the verdict, continuing the legal saga surrounding the martial law incident.
This case represents one of the most significant political trials in South Korea's recent history, highlighting ongoing tensions between conservative and liberal factions and testing the resilience of the country's democratic institutions.
