Former South Korean President Suk-Yeol Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Insurrection

F Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of leading an insurrection during his declaration of martial law in December 2024.

The judgment was delivered by the Seoul Central District Court and aired live across South Korea. Prosecutors had earlier sought the death penalty, but the court handed down a life sentence instead.

In its ruling, the court held that Yoon led efforts to subvert the constitutional order, ordered the military to arrest key figures including current President Lee Jae Myung, and attempted to paralyze parliament by deploying troops to the National Assembly.

Five others were also convicted in connection with the case, including former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The defendants have one week to appeal the decision.