Former South Korean president sentenced to life in prison

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life in prison for insurrection. Yoon declared martial law in 2024 in what prosecutors said was a bid to stay in power. They had sought the death penalty for the former head of state.

Yoon was impeached following his short-lived coup. The former president denied the charges, insisting he was within his powers as president to declare martial law. He cited legislative gridlock and a supposed “rebellion” being plotted by pro-Pyongyang forces in the political opposition.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled on Thursday that although the declaration of martial law per se did not constitute insurrection, Yoon was nonetheless guilty since he had sought to impede the normal functioning of a constitutional body: the parliament.

“It is difficult to deny that former President Yoon inwardly aimed to make the National Assembly unable to function properly… by means of sending troops,” presiding judge Jee Kui-youn said in a statement aired live on national television. “It is also recognized that he staged a riot by sending the military.”

Last month, prosecutors described Yoon, 65, as the “ringleader of an insurrection” and accused him of masterminding the scheme to seize power in 2023. The court acknowledged the former president’s “leading role” in the plot but maintained the plan was not thorough, the use of force was limited and that Yoon had no prior criminal convictions.

Seven other defendants in the case were also sentenced alongside Yoon. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to 30 years behind bars while former National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho got 12 years and the former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief, Kim Bong-sik, received a 10-year sentence.

Last month, the court also sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for his role in the insurrection attempt.

Yoon’s declaration of martial law was overturned by parliament within hours. Lawmakers convened despite Yoon’s attempt to use security forces to blockade the National Assembly building. Soldiers refused to follow orders to crack down; meanwhile protesters gathered in the streets.