Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of leading an insurrection during his declaration of martial law in December 2024.
The judgment was delivered by the Seoul Central District Court, with Judge Jee Kui-youn presiding. The life sentence was lighter than the death penalty earlier requested by prosecutors during the final hearing in January. The ruling was broadcast live on major South Korean television networks.
In the verdict, the court stated that Yoon led an insurrection and carried out actions aimed at undermining the country’s constitutional order. The judge said Yoon played a central role in planning the act and involved many individuals. The court also noted that he showed no clear sign of remorse and had refused to appear in court.
The court further found that Yoon ordered the military to detain several individuals during the martial law declaration, including the current president, Lee Jae Myung. According to the ruling, Yoon also attempted to paralyze the country’s parliament by deploying troops to block the National Assembly and arrest key political figures.
Five other officials were sentenced in connection with the failed martial law move. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun received a 30-year prison sentence. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years, while former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min received seven years in prison. All defendants have one week to appeal the ruling.
This sentence follows an earlier court decision on January 16, when Yoon was given a five-year prison term for attempting to obstruct his arrest after he was impeached and suspended from office.
Yoon became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, in an operation involving more than 3,000 police officers and a tense standoff with presidential security agents.
During the trial, special counsel Cho Eun-suk’s team argued that Yoon declared martial law to remain in power by taking control of the judiciary and legislature. However, Yoon maintained his innocence. He claimed that his declaration of martial law was within his constitutional powers and was meant to protect the country’s freedom and sovereignty.
Yoon declared martial law on December 3 during a late-night address, accusing the then-opposition Democratic Party of Korea of anti-state activities and alleged ties with North Korea. Troops were deployed to the National Assembly, and clashes broke out between security forces and protesters.
However, the order was overturned within three hours after 190 out of 300 lawmakers gathered and unanimously voted against it. Yoon officially lifted the martial law about six hours after announcing it.
He was impeached 11 days later and officially removed from office on April 4, 2025, marking one of the most dramatic political crises in South Korea’s recent history.
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