Seoul (HRNW) – A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk-yeol to life imprisonment for sedition, following his controversial imposition of martial law in December 2024.
According to the court ruling, Yoon Suk-yeol deliberately attempted to paralyze the constitutional system by deploying the military to prevent the National Assembly from functioning. The court said his actions caused serious political and social harm and represented a grave violation of his constitutional duties.
During the trial, the former president argued that he had the authority to impose martial law to prevent obstruction by the opposition. The court rejected this defense, stating that Yoon led a military coup and showed no remorse during the hearings. The prosecution had originally sought the death penalty.
Yoon Suk-yeol is currently being held in the Seoul Detention Center, and his legal team has announced plans to appeal, claiming the decision was predetermined.
It should be recalled that on December 3, 2024, Yoon imposed martial law, which was lifted hours later after mass protests and a parliamentary vote, triggering his impeachment. In 2025, the National Assembly removed him from office, and multiple legal cases, including sedition, were filed against him. Earlier this year, he was sentenced to five years in prison for obstructing arrest.
HRNW continues to provide timely coverage of international political and legal developments. Support our reporting by donating at: https://www.hrnww.com/donate-us/
