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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 ruling, delivered by Seoul Central District Court Judge Jee Kui-youn, was lighter than the death penalty prosecutors had sought during the trial’s final hearing in January. The verdict was broadcast live on South Korea’s major television networks.
In the ruling, Judge Jee stated that Yoon “led an insurrection and committed acts to subvert the country’s constitutional order.” The court noted that Yoon “took the lead in planning the crime and involved a large number of people,” and added that it was “difficult to see any sign of remorse from the defendant, who also refused to appear in court.” Yoon had reportedly declined court appearances for questioning last year.
The court also found that Yoon had ordered the South Korean military to capture individuals during the martial law declaration, including the current president, Lee Jae Myung. He had intended to “paralyze” the National Assembly by deploying troops to blockade the legislature and arrest key politicians, according to Judge Jee.
Five others were also sentenced, including former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, who received a 30-year prison term. The defendants have the right to appeal within a week.
This sentence follows a separate ruling on January 16, when Yoon was given a five-year prison term for attempting to obstruct his arrest after being impeached and suspended from office.
Other senior officials implicated in the failed martial law attempt have also been sentenced. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo received 23 years in prison, while former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was handed a seven-year sentence.
Yoon made history as the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, in an operation involving over 3,000 police personnel and a standoff with presidential security agents.
During the final hearing, special counsel Cho Eun-suk’s team argued that Yoon declared martial law “with the purpose of remaining in power for a long time by seizing the judiciary and legislature,” according to South Korean media reports. Yoon, however, maintained his innocence, claiming the declaration was within his constitutional authority and intended to “safeguard freedom and sovereignty.”
On December 3, 2024, Yoon imposed South Korea’s first martial law in 44 years during a late-night address, accusing the then-opposition Democratic Party of Korea of engaging in “anti-state activities” and colluding with “North Korean communists.” Troops were deployed to the National Assembly, and clashes broke out between soldiers, police, and protesters outside the compound.
Then-defense minister Kim Yong-hyun reportedly ordered troops to forcibly bring people inside the National Assembly building. However, the martial law order was overturned within three hours after 190 of the 300 lawmakers gathered and unanimously voted against it. Yoon lifted martial law approximately six hours after announcing it.
He was impeached 11 days later and officially removed from office on April 4, 2025.
