Friday 20 Feb, 2026
Metro53 - Seoul (Web Desk): A court in South Korea has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after convicting him of leading a rebellion. The verdict is linked to the brief imposition of martial law on December 3, 2024, which triggered widespread political and social unrest across the country.
While announcing the judgment, the judge of the Seoul Central District Court stated that the enforcement of martial law forced society to pay a heavy price. The court noted that it found no clear evidence that the accused had shown remorse for his actions. The prosecution had sought the death penalty for the former president; however, the court ruled that the charge of leading a rebellion was proven and awarded a sentence of life imprisonment.
During the trial, Yoon Suk Yeol maintained his innocence, arguing that as president he had constitutional authority to impose martial law and that the move was intended to prevent opposition parties from obstructing government affairs. The court rejected this defense and upheld his conviction for leading a rebellion.
It is worth noting that the 65-year-old former president was removed from office following the imposition of martial law and had earlier been sentenced to five years in prison in the same case. Following the latest ruling, his legal team has indicated plans to appeal, while the political repercussions of the decision continue to be closely watched within the country.
