A court in South Korea on Thursday sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of insurrection over his 2024 declaration of martial law.
The judgment followed several months of legal proceedings linked to the controversial decision. Prosecutors argued that the move was aimed at suppressing political opposition and weakening democratic institutions.
Yoon had declared martial law in a televised national address in December 2024, stating that strong action was needed to eliminate what he called “anti-state forces.”
The announcement triggered political tension and public anger, with critics accusing him of undermining democracy.
Delivering the judgment at the Seoul Central District Court, presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon said the former president sent troops to the legislature in an attempt to silence political opponents.
“The Court finds that the intention was to paralyse the assembly for a considerable period,” Ji said.
The judge also stated that the declaration of martial law had serious consequences for the country.
“The declaration of martial law resulted in enormous social costs, and it is difficult to find any indication that the defendant has expressed remorse for that,” the court held.
After reviewing the evidence presented during the trial, the court delivered its final decision.
“We sentence Yoon to life imprisonment,” the judge ruled, marking an unprecedented moment in the country’s political history.
The martial law action had targeted the National Assembly of South Korea, which lawmakers and political analysts described as a direct challenge to the nation’s democratic system.
