South Korea’s former president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of charges related to insurrection. Chief Judge Ji Kwi-yeon stated that Yoon had attempted to seize the National Assembly by deploying military and police forces, arrest political leaders, and establish an authoritarian regime. The court’s decision has sparked controversy, and Yoon has the option to appeal the verdict to a higher court.
Special prosecutors had initially sought the death penalty, arguing that Yoon’s actions posed a severe threat to the nation’s democratic system, and a harsh punishment was necessary. However, most analysts saw the move as an attempt to seize power, concluding that, given the lack of direct human casualties, a life sentence would suffice. Notably, the death penalty has not been carried out in South Korea since 1997.
The court also convicted former military and police officials involved in the declaration of martial law. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun received a 30-year prison sentence for his pivotal role in planning the martial law and mobilizing the military.
Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the courtroom during the proceedings, leading to heavy security measures with hundreds of police officers stationed at the scene. In December 2024, Yoon had declared martial law, claiming it was necessary to control anti-government forces. However, the military’s lockdown lasted only six hours before lawmakers broke through and annulled the order in a unanimous vote.
On December 14, 2024, the South Korean parliament passed a motion to impeach Yoon, and he was officially removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. Since then, he has faced numerous criminal charges and has been in custody.
Last month, a court sentenced him to five years in prison for obstructing his arrest, declaring martial law unlawfully, and issuing orders without holding a full cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, Seoul’s Central District Court convicted two other former cabinet members. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-su was sentenced to 23 years in prison for attempting to legitimize orders through cabinet meetings, manipulating records, and providing false statements under oath. Han has appealed his sentence.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case has raised significant questions about the future of South Korea’s democratic institutions and the consequences of attempted political overreach.
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