What verdict did the court deliver?
The Seoul Central District Court found former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of leading an insurrection and sentenced him to life imprisonment. According to the court, the declaration of martial law in December 2024 constituted an act of rebellion. The ruling was reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Prosecutors had requested the death penalty. However, capital punishment has not been carried out in South Korea since 1997.
What were the main charges against him?
Investigators stated that Yoon ordered military troops and police forces to surround the National Assembly building in an attempt to prevent lawmakers from voting against his decree.
He was also accused of organizing the detention of the parliamentary speaker, as well as leaders of both the ruling party and the main opposition party at the time.
How did prosecutors describe the martial law decision?
According to the indictment, Yoon conspired with former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun and other officials to organize the insurrection. Prosecutors argued that martial law was declared unlawfully, as there was no war or comparable national emergency that would justify such a measure.
How did Yoon respond to the accusations?
During the trial, the 65-year-old former president denied all charges. He maintained that exercising the constitutional authority to impose emergency measures should not be interpreted as rebellion.
According to Yoon, the decision was driven by obstruction from opposition parties, which he claimed hindered the functioning of the government.
“This was not a military dictatorship aimed at suppressing citizens, but an effort to protect freedom and sovereignty and restore constitutional order,” he stated in court.
What sentences were given to other officials?
Several other high-ranking officials were convicted in connection with the martial law case. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was sentenced to 30 years in prison, while former Seoul police chief Kim Bong Sik received a 10-year term.
In January, Yoon had also been sentenced to five years for obstructing his arrest. That same month, former Prime Minister Han Duck Soo was sentenced to 23 years for assisting in organizing the insurrection. In February, former Interior Minister Lee Sang Min received a seven-year prison sentence on similar charges.
What were the political consequences?
In early December 2024, Yoon declared martial law, stating that it was necessary to protect the country from “communist forces” and accusing the opposition of engaging in “anti-state activities.” The National Assembly later voted to revoke the decree.
Lawmakers subsequently impeached Yoon, and the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment in April.
In June 2025, South Korea held an early presidential election, which was won by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae Myung.