Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been handed a life sentence for his short-lived declaration of martial law, marking the climax of a significant political turmoil in the nation in many years. Yoon’s downfall came after a misguided bid to assert control over an opposition-dominated legislature by imposing martial law and deploying troops to encircle the legislative body on December 3, 2024.
During the trial, Judge Jee Kui-youn ruled Yoon guilty of rebellion for orchestrating the mobilization of military and police units in an unlawful move to take over the liberal-led National Assembly, detain politicians, and establish unrestrained authority for an extended period. Yoon is expected to challenge the court’s decision.
While a special prosecutor pushed for the death penalty, arguing that Yoon’s actions endangered the country’s democratic system and warranted the severest punishment possible, most experts anticipate a life imprisonment term due to the poorly executed power seizure that did not result in any casualties.
South Korea has refrained from executing death row inmates since 1997, essentially observing an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment amidst growing calls for its abolition.
As Yoon made his way to court, a large contingent of police closely monitored his supporters rallying outside the judicial complex, with emotions running high as the prison bus carrying him passed by. On the other side, Yoon’s detractors demanded the death penalty.
The court also found and sentenced several former military and police officials involved in enforcing Yoon’s martial law proclamation, including ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who received a 30-year prison term for his pivotal role in orchestrating the plan and mobilizing the military.
Yoon, known for his conservative stance, justified his martial law declaration as a necessary measure to thwart what he labeled as “anti-state” liberal entities from impeding his agenda with their legislative dominance.
The martial law decree was in effect for approximately six hours before being lifted following a successful breakthrough by lawmakers through a military cordon, leading to a unanimous vote to revoke the measure.
Yoon was impeached by legislators on December 14, 2024, and officially ousted by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. He has been in custody since July, facing multiple criminal trials, with the rebellion charge carrying the most severe consequences.
In a separate development, Yoon was recently sentenced to five years in prison for resisting arrest, fabricating the martial law decree, and sidestepping the mandatory convening of a full Cabinet meeting before its proclamation. Additionally, two of Yoon’s Cabinet members have been convicted in other legal proceedings, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo receiving a 23-year jail term for attempting to legitimize the decree through deceptive practices. Han has lodged an appeal against the ruling.