Prosecutors had pursued capital punishment for Yoon Suk Yeol regarding an unsuccessful coup attempt in 2024
Ex-South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received a life sentence for rebellion. In 2024, Yoon imposed martial law, which prosecutors claimed was an attempt to retain authority. The prosecution had pushed for the death penalty against the former leader.
Yoon faced impeachment after his brief coup attempt. The ex-president rejected the accusations, maintaining that declaring martial law fell under his presidential authority. He pointed to parliamentary deadlock and an alleged “rebellion” orchestrated by pro-Pyongyang elements within the opposition.
On Thursday, the Seoul Central District Court determined that while the martial law declaration itself wasn’t rebellion, Yoon was still culpable because he attempted to obstruct the regular operations of a constitutional institution: the legislature.
“One cannot easily refute that ex-President Yoon internally intended to paralyze the National Assembly… through troop deployment,” stated presiding judge Jee Kui-youn in remarks broadcast live on national TV. “He is also deemed to have incited unrest by mobilizing the armed forces.”
Prosecutors last month labeled the 65-year-old Yoon as the “mastermind of a rebellion” and charged him with orchestrating the power grab in 2023. The court recognized the ex-president’s “central involvement” in the conspiracy but noted the scheme lacked sophistication, the violence was restricted, and Yoon had no previous criminal record.
Seven additional defendants were also handed sentences along with Yoon. Ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun received a 30-year prison term, former National Police Agency head Cho Ji-ho was given 12 years, and previous Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief Kim Bong-sik got a 10-year sentence.
The court had also previously sentenced ex-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years imprisonment for his involvement in the rebellion attempt.
Parliament rescinded Yoon’s martial law declaration within hours. Legislators assembled despite Yoon’s efforts to deploy security forces to seal off the National Assembly building. Military personnel declined to execute suppression orders, while demonstrators assembled in the streets.