- Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Insurrection
SEOUL – In a historic and landmark ruling, a South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison on Thursday after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection through his abrupt declaration of martial law in December 2024.
The Ruling
Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon of the Seoul Central District Court delivered the verdict, stating that Yoon’s actions were intended to paralyze the National Assembly and silence political opposition. The court determined that by dispatching troops to the assembly building, Yoon sought to disrupt legislative functions for an extended period.
“The declaration of martial law resulted in enormous social costs, and it is difficult to find any indication that the defendant has expressed remorse for that,” Judge Ji said in his ruling. “We sentence Yoon to life imprisonment.”
Charges and Prosecution
Yoon, a 65-year-old hardline conservative, was impeached and arrested shortly after the December 2024 incident. He faced a litany of charges, including insurrection and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty during hearings in January, citing his “lust for power aimed at dictatorship and long-term rule.” However, due to South Korea’s unofficial moratorium on capital punishment—in place since 1997—the life sentence effectively ensures Yoon will remain behind bars indefinitely.
Role of Key Figures
Former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, who played a central role in the martial law implementation, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his involvement in the crisis.
Public Reaction and Security
Ahead of the verdict, thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the court, waving placards with slogans such as “Yoon Great Again” and “Drop the charge against President Yoon.” Tensions escalated as a blue prison bus believed to be transporting the former president arrived at the complex. Police in neon jackets formed barricades using buses to maintain order and prevent unrest.
Historical Context
The failed martial law bid has drawn comparisons to South Korea’s turbulent history of military coups between 1960 and 1980, unsettling a nation long regarded as a stable democracy in Asia. Yoon’s actions have been widely condemned as an attempt to seize power, reviving unpleasant memories of past authoritarian rule.
Yoon’s Defense
Throughout the trial, Yoon maintained his innocence, arguing that his declaration of martial law was a legitimate act to “safeguard freedom” and restore constitutional order against what he described as an opposition-led “legislative dictatorship.” Despite his defense, the court found no evidence of remorse or justification for the severe social and political upheaval caused.
Additional Sentences
In a related case, Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, was sentenced to 20 months in prison earlier in January on unrelated corruption charges involving bribes she accepted while serving as first lady. Several other senior officials implicated in the martial law crisis also face substantial prison terms.
Legal Implications
Under South Korean law, insurrection carries a penalty of either life imprisonment or death. Yoon’s life sentence marks a definitive end to his political career and serves as a stern warning against future attempts to undermine democratic institutions.
BY: The Times Union
