In a historic ruling that has sent shockwaves through South Korea’s political landscape, former President Yoon Suk-yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of insurrection. The Seoul Central District Court delivered its verdict on Thursday, concluding that Yoon’s declaration of emergency martial law in December 2024 constituted an attempt to subvert the constitutional order.
The court determined that the deployment of military forces to the National Assembly building represented the crucial element in the case, effectively preventing the legislative body from functioning for a substantial duration. This unprecedented move marked the first time in South Korea’s history that troops were directed toward the parliamentary complex during a political crisis.
Following the court’s decision, the disgraced former leader issued a public apology on Friday, expressing remorse for what he described as ‘personal shortcomings’ that led to public frustration and hardship. However, Yoon maintained that his controversial decision to implement martial law was motivated solely by national interests and concern for the South Korean people.
The political turmoil began on December 3, 2024, when Yoon declared emergency measures that were subsequently revoked by the National Assembly within hours. The constitutional court upheld an impeachment motion in April 2025, formally removing Yoon from office. His indictment under detention in January 2025 made him the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested and charged with criminal offenses.
Yoon continues to protest the court’s characterization of his actions as insurrection, insisting that his ‘desperate decision to save the nation’ has been unfairly maligned. The case represents a significant chapter in South Korea’s ongoing evolution of democratic institutions and constitutional governance.