In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through South Korea’s political landscape, former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday by a Seoul court. The verdict stems from his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024, a move deemed equivalent to rebellion.
The court emphasized that Yoon’s order to deploy troops to the National Assembly was the core of the case. This audacious action aimed to undermine the legislative body, marking a grave assault on democratic institutions. Yoon, who appeared in court from jail, watched as the proceedings were broadcast live on national television.
Prosecutors had pushed for the death penalty, arguing that Yoon’s scheme with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others sought to subvert the constitution. They conspired to incite unrest and declare martial law without any legitimate national emergency, deploying military resources meant for national defense against the state’s own elected representatives.
During the final hearing last month, special counsel Cho Yoon-sook’s team demanded the harshest punishment, highlighting Yoon’s intent to seize control of the judiciary and legislature to cling to power. ‘The crime’s gravity lies in mobilizing physical resources that should serve the nation’s interests,’ they stated.
Yoon, in his last statement, proclaimed innocence, insisting his use of constitutional emergency powers did not constitute rebellion. The initial district court had convicted him of leading a rebellion via martial law, but the appeal escalated the stakes.
This sentencing closes a turbulent chapter for South Korea, where Yoon’s brief six-hour martial law declaration in December 2024 sparked massive protests and his eventual impeachment. Legal experts see it as a strong affirmation of democratic resilience against authoritarian overreach.
As Yoon’s legal team mulls further appeals, the nation reflects on the fragility of power and the safeguards protecting its young democracy. The ruling serves as a stern warning to future leaders tempted by extra-constitutional measures.