A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection for his attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, a measure that lasted six hours and triggered a political crisis in one of the most stable democracies in the world. The former president also faces other judicial processes and has appealed previous rulings.

First modification: 02/19/2026 - 08:33 Last modification: 02/19/2026 - 09:38

A South Korean court on Thursday found former President Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of orchestrating an insurrection, considering that his declaration of martial law in December 2024 was a deliberate plan to "paralyze" the National Assembly.

"As for the accused Yoon Suk Yeol, the crime of leadership in insurrection is proven," presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon said before the Seoul Central District Court.

The former conservative president, 65, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the most momentous trial he has faced since his dismissal.

While facing multiple criminal proceedings, Yoon remains held in solitary confinement. Outside the Seoul Central District Court, where the trial is being held, authorities set up a tight security cordon with police buses surrounding the building.

Yoon abruptly declared martial law in a televised speech in December 2024, stating that drastic measures were necessary to eradicate “anti-state forces.”

He was subsequently impeached, arrested and charged with a series of crimes ranging from insurrection to obstruction of justice.

The episode shook South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, a key security ally of the United States and long considered one of the world's most established democracies.

And the death penalty?

At hearings in January, prosecutors sought the maximum penalty for the insurrection charges: the death penalty.

Under South Korean law, insurrection is punishable only by life imprisonment or the death penalty.

In South Korea, the death penalty exists legally, but it is not applied in practice, since no one has been executed since 1997. Therefore, a death sentence is equivalent in practice to life imprisonment.

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Yoon, in his version, has denied irregularities and maintains that he acted to "safeguard freedom" and restore constitutional order in the face of what he described as a "legislative dictatorship" led by the opposition.

The Prosecutor's Office, for its part, accused him of leading an "insurrection" driven by a "lust for power with a view to a dictatorship and a prolonged government."

The day that defined Yoon's destiny

On December 3, 2024, Yoon interrupted late-night television programming to address the country in a surprise message.

He announced the suspension of the civilian government and the beginning of military rule, alluding to threats of North Korean influence and "anti-state forces."

Following the declaration, there were immediate protests, turbulence in the markets and surprise among key security allies, such as the United States.

Six hours later, martial law was lifted when lawmakers rushed to Parliament and approved its repeal in an emergency vote.

Armed troops were unable to enter the premises, as officials blocked the doors with office furniture to prevent their access.

In this context, the court also rules on charges of abuse of authority, including the alleged sending of troops to Parliament and the deployment of soldiers and police to block, inspect and control access to facilities such as the headquarters of the opposition party.

The Prosecutor's Office maintained in January that the "unconstitutional and illegal emergency martial law" declared by Yoon undermined the functioning of the National Assembly and the Electoral Commission, "effectively destroying the liberal democratic constitutional order."

Open processes

Yoon, who faces eight trials, was sentenced in January to five years in prison in a separate trial on charges including obstructing authorities' attempts to arrest him following his declaration of martial law. He has appealed that sentence.

According to judicial guidelines, the entire process, including appeals, should be completed within two years, although such investigations often extend beyond that period.

In a separate case, Yoon's wife, Kim Keon Hee, was sentenced in January to 20 months in prison on charges linked to bribes received during her time as first lady.

Other senior officials also face significant prison terms.

With Reuters and AFP

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