Ex-South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol handed life sentence
What's the story
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection in 2024. The court found him guilty of declaring martial law, which threw the country into political turmoil and threatened its democratic foundations. Yoon was also found to have ordered the military to capture opposition leader and current president Lee Jae Myung. Other verdicts included Yoon being found guilty of abusing authority and committing acts to disrupt constitutional order.
Crisis escalation
What is martial law in South Korea
His defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, was also found guilty and faces a term of 30 years in prison. On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law in a televised address. He claimed there were "anti-state forces" in opposition parties sympathetic to North Korea. Armed soldiers were deployed to parliament, which led to chaos as citizens and lawmakers barricaded entrances. The situation was reversed within six hours when lawmakers voted unanimously against it.
Verdict details
Yoon intended to paralyze National Assembly: Judge
Presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon said Yoon intended to paralyze the National Assembly. The court ruled that sending armed soldiers to parliament was an act of insurrection. Yoon denied the charges, claiming his actions were meant to alert the public about political gridlock caused by opposition parties. As he learned his fate, he displayed no emotion, BBC reported.
Sentencing impact
Verdict welcomed by lawmakers and citizens
The verdict was watched by Yoon supporters outside the Seoul Central District Court. Song Hwa, who witnessed the events unfold, called it an "extremely important decision." Cho Kuk of the Rebuilding Korea Party said Yoon "tried to destroy South Korea's democracy." Last month, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years for his involvement in the insurrection.
Legal proceedings
Yoon's presidency and downfall
Yoon was first detained in January 2025 after a standoff at his home. He was impeached 11 days after declaring martial law in December 2024 and removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. The verdict marks the first time in three decades that a South Korean leader has been sentenced for insurrection. Former President Chun Doo-hwan was convicted in 1996 for seizing power during a military coup in 1979.