A court in South Korea on Thursday found former president Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of insurrection and sentenced him to life imprisonment, ruling that his December 2024 declaration of martial law was a calculated attempt to cripple the country’s legislature.
Delivering judgment at the Seoul Central District Court, presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon said the former leader’s actions were aimed at paralysing the National Assembly and suppressing political opposition.
Yoon had announced martial law in a nationally televised address in December 2024, arguing that sweeping powers were necessary to eliminate what he described as “anti-state forces.” The declaration triggered immediate political turmoil and widespread public concern over the state of South Korea’s democracy.
According to the court, Yoon ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly building in a move interpreted as an effort to silence lawmakers and obstruct legislative functions. Judge Ji stated that the court found clear intent to incapacitate the Assembly for a significant period.
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“The Court finds that the intention was to paralyse the assembly for a considerable period,” the judge said in open court. He added that the imposition of martial law had imposed heavy social and political costs on the nation and noted the absence of remorse from the defendant throughout the proceedings.
“The declaration of martial law resulted in enormous social costs, and it is difficult to find any indication that the defendant has expressed remorse,” Ji said before pronouncing the sentence of life imprisonment.
The ruling marks one of the most consequential judicial decisions in South Korea’s modern political history, underscoring the judiciary’s stance on constitutional order and executive power.
