Former President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to life in prison by the Seoul Central District Court.
The judgement comes after being found guilty of leading an insurrection tied to his declaration of martial law in December 2024.
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The court ruled that Yoon’s Dec. 3, 2024 decision to declare martial law and deploy military and police forces to surround the National Assembly amounted to rebellion and a serious breach of the constitutional order.
Judge Ji Gwi-yeon said the actions caused “enormous social costs” and that Yoon’s mobilisation of troops and equipment to try to interfere with parliamentary functions justified the life sentence.
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Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, arguing his conduct posed a grave threat to South Korea’s democratic system, but the court opted for life imprisonment instead.
Yoon was suspended from office on Dec. 14, 2024, after lawmakers impeached him following the declaration of martial law, and he was officially removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025.
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He has been in custody since July 2025 while facing multiple criminal trials, including the insurrection case.
The martial law decree lasted only about six hours before lawmakers unanimously voted to lift it after breaking through a military blockade.
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The brief standoff rekindled memories of South Korea’s past military rule and provoked fierce debate about democratic norms.
Several top officials, including Former Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun, involved in enforcing the martial law order were also convicted.
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Yoon defended his actions as an effort to confront what he described as “anti-state” forces blocking his agenda.
The court rejected his defence, finding his moves unconstitutional. His legal team has indicated plans to appeal the verdict.
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Yoon still faces additional trials on charges including aiding an enemy state and violating campaign laws.
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