South Korea’s ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol has been jailed for life for masterminding an insurrection by trying to impose military rule.
Yoon attempted to subvert the constitution by deploying military troops to seal off the National Assembly and ordering the arrest of politicians on 3 December 2024, a Seoul court ruled. His actions fundamentally damaged South Korea’s democracy and deserves a harsh punishment, presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon told the court.
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty.
Though it was short-lived, Yoon’s martial law order left the nation more polarised than ever, and those deep divisions were on full display as the sentencing took place.
Huge crowds of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the court hours before the hearing, holding banners reading “Yoon, again”. Many of them broke down in tears following the verdict.
Also present were anti-Yoon protesters, rallying for him to be sentenced to death.
Yoon himself showed no emotion as he learned of his fate. His lawyers alleged that the verdict was not backed by evidence and accused the judge of following a “pre-written script”.
If either side launches an appeal, the case will go up to the Supreme Court, which means it could be months before the verdict is finalised.
Yoon shocked his nation on 3 December 2024 by declaring martial law on live television.
He claimed it was to protect the country from “anti-state” forces that sympathised with North Korea, but it soon became clear he was driven by domestic troubles: the opposition which held a parliamentary majority left him a lame duck president, while his wife Kim Keon Hee was at the centre of various corruption allegations.
He rolled back the order within hours, after lawmakers fought their way into the National Assembly to overturn it.
What followed were months of political chaos, Yoon’s impeachment, and a string of indictments against him and other top officials.
Former prime minister Han Duck-soo was handed a 23-year jail term last month for his part in the insurrection, while ex-defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, who advised Yoon to impose martial law, was jailed for 30 years on Thursday.
Former interior minister Lee Sang-min, former intelligence commander Roh Sang-won, and ex-police chief Cho Ji-ho were among the other officials jailed.
Credit: bbc.com
