A South Korean court on Thursday sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of abuse of authority and masterminding an insurrection linked to his December 2024 attempt to impose martial law.
Prosecutors had pushed for the death penalty in the high-profile case, which has drawn intense public attention in a deeply divided nation. They argued that Yoon’s declaration of emergency martial law was unconstitutional and illegal and that it undermined the functions of the National Assembly and the Election Commission.
Under South Korean law, the offense of leading an insurrection carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment. Although the country last issued a death sentence in 2016, it has not carried out an execution since 1997.
Security was tightened around the Seoul Central District Court, where police buses formed a cordon as proceedings continued.
The court is also considering allegations that Yoon ordered troops to storm parliament to remove and detain political opponents. He is further accused of deploying soldiers and police officers to block and control access to key facilities, including an opposition party building.
The 65-year-old former leader has denied all charges. He remains in custody at the Seoul Detention Centre and is expected to stay there pending further legal proceedings.
According to prosecutors, Yoon is likely to appeal the verdict. If convicted on appeal, he may still challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.
