Former South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of rebellion involving his unsuccessful attempt to seize control in 2024, which led to the declaration of martial law.
Initially, prosecutors sought the death penalty, but on Thursday, Yoon learned of his life sentence in a Seoul courtroom.
Despite maintaining his innocence, he was convicted of rioting, resulting in a life sentence.
The 65-year-old was found guilty of sedition for using military and police forces in a bid to take over parliament, arrest political opponents, and consolidate his power.
Yoon’s former defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, who significantly aided in the military mobilization, received a 30-year prison term.
In his defense, Yoon justified the martial law as a necessary measure against what he termed “anti-national” elements that were hindering his legislative plans.
He vowed to eliminate “pro-North Korean forces” and safeguard South Korea from impending ruin.
This incident marks the first declaration of martial law since South Korea transitioned to democracy in 1987.
Yoon’s use of martial law ignited widespread protests and was denounced by opposition leaders and even some from his Conservative Party, though the law was rescinded roughly six hours later.
He was impeached by the Constitutional Court in April 2025 and has faced arrest since July of the previous year.
In a separate case last month, Yoon received a five-year sentence related to various charges, including resisting arrest and falsifying a martial law declaration.
Notably, Chun Doo-hwan, a former military leader, was sentenced to death in 1996; however, his sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment, and he was eventually pardoned.
Earlier this year, former Prime Minister Han Deok-soo was sentenced to 23 years for his role in rioting and other offenses.
The judge criticized Han, stating that his actions posed a risk of dragging South Korea back into a troubling past where fundamental rights and democratic values were jeopardized.
Han was found guilty of significant rebellion-related offenses, including perjury and document forgery.
Yoon is anticipated to appeal his conviction.
