Former South Korean President Yoon Jailed for Life

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared before the Seoul Central District Court for the verdict in the high-profile case tied to his short-lived martial law order. The court ruled that he led an insurrection and abused his authority, sentencing him to life in prison.

Death Penalty Sought, Life Sentence Imposed

Prosecutors had demanded the death penalty, arguing that Yoon’s December 3, 2024 decision to impose martial law posed a grave threat to South Korea’s constitutional and democratic system. Although capital punishment remains on the books, it has not been carried out in South Korea since 1997, making life imprisonment the most severe realistic penalty.

The court concluded that Yoon’s actions constituted both insurrection and abuse of power. His former Defense Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, was also found guilty of insurrection, with both cases adjudicated under the same proceedings.

Previous Sentences and Related Convictions

Last month, Yoon was separately sentenced to five years in prison for resisting arrest, irregularly drafting the martial law decree, and bypassing a mandatory cabinet meeting before issuing the order.

In the same court, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison on charges of attempting to legitimize the martial law decision, falsifying official records, and making false statements. Han has appealed the ruling.

The court is also expected to deliver verdicts for seven former military and police officials, including Kim Yong-hyun, in related proceedings.

Martial Law and Political Crisis

Yoon declared martial law on December 3, 2024, deploying troops to surround the National Assembly. However, lawmakers broke through the military cordon and convened an emergency session, voting to lift the order roughly six hours later.

Defending his actions at the time, Yoon claimed he was countering what he described as “anti-state forces” and obstruction by liberal lawmakers who held a parliamentary majority.

On December 14, 2024, Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly. In April 2025, the Constitutional Court formally removed him from office. He has been detained since July and faces multiple criminal cases, with the insurrection charge carrying the heaviest penalty.