Former President Yoon Files Appeal Against Life Sentence for 2024 Insurrection

Updated 2026-02-24 02:16:00+00:00 (149 articles)

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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally outside of Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, February 19, 2026. Source Full size
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National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (C) speaks to reporters at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026, after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment for his failed bid to impose martial law in 2024. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
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South Korea's former president has been sentenced to life in prison for his failed insurrection - but the democratic country remains divided (AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
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(URGENT) Court sentences ex-President Yoon to life imprisonment over martial law bid - 1 Source Full size
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Jeon Han-gil, a former Korean history instructor and a vocal supporter of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, speaks at a rally in support of the former president near the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026, on the day of Yoon's sentencing hearing on charges of leading an insurrection. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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The State Department in Washington, D.C. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Source Full size
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South Korea's former president has been sentenced to life in prison for his failed insurrection - but the democratic country remains divided (AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
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Yoon's (centre) declaration of martial law failed within hours, with South Koreans taking to the streets to protest (AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
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The then-president had deployed the military to crack down on protesters (Getty Images) Source Full size
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Lawmakers also voted unanimously to strike down the martial law attempt (Pictured: Opposition lawmakers holding placards reading "Yoon Suk Yeol should resign!") (AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
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Some who gathered outside the National Assembly that night were motivated by memories of South Korea before democracy (Getty Images) Source Full size
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Yoon's insurrection attempt deeply divided South Korea and further polarised its politics (Getty Images) Source Full size
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Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally outside of Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, February 19, 2026. Source Full size
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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
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A TV screen at Seoul Station in the capital on Feb. 19, 2026, shows a broadcast of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection trial. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Supporters of former President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally near the Seoul Central District Court in the capital on Feb. 19, 2026, to proclaim his innocence as Yoon is set to receive the first verdict at the court the same day on whether his 2024 imposition of martial law constituted an insurrection following special prosecutors' recommendation of the death penalty. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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The State Department in Washington, D.C. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Jeon Han-gil, a former Korean history instructor and a vocal supporter of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, speaks at a rally in support of the former president near the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026, on the day of Yoon's sentencing hearing on charges of leading an insurrection. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Participants of a rally calling for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's conviction chant slogans near the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
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National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (C) speaks to reporters at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026, after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment for his failed bid to impose martial law in 2024. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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(URGENT) Court sentences ex-President Yoon to life imprisonment over martial law bid - 1 Source Full size

Six‑Hour Martial‑Law Decree Triggered Constitutional Crisis On 3 December 2024 Yoon Suk‑yeol announced martial law, claiming “anti‑state forces” had infiltrated the country; troops were ordered to the National Assembly, lawmakers stormed the building and seized a rifle, and the decree was rescinded after six hours when a unanimous parliamentary vote overturned it [2][3][15]. The rapid reversal prevented a full‑scale coup and led to Yoon’s impeachment on 14 December 2024 [2]. The episode revived memories of Chun Doo‑hwa’s 1980s military rule, underscoring the fragility of South Korea’s democratic safeguards [3].

Court Convicts Yoon of Insurrection and Imposes Life Sentence The Seoul Central District Court delivered its first verdict on 19 February 2026, finding Yoon guilty of insurrection for attempting to cripple the National Assembly and sentencing him to life imprisonment [9][10][11]. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but the bench opted for life imprisonment, citing limited pre‑meditation, minimal violence, and Yoon’s age [9][14]. The ruling marked the first life‑sentence handed to a former South Korean president and was broadcast live, allowing the public to witness the judgment [19].

Co‑Defendants Receive Lengthy Prison Terms and Yoon Faces Additional Sentence Former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun received a 30‑year term, former National Police Agency chief Cho Ji‑ho 12 years, and former Seoul Metropolitan Police chief Kim Bong‑sik 10 years, while other senior officials were sentenced to 3–18 years for their roles in the martial‑law scheme [1][9][14][16]. Yoon also remains incarcerated for a separate five‑year term stemming from an earlier obstruction‑of‑investigators conviction [1][14]. The broad crackdown reflects the judiciary’s sweeping response to the attempted coup [3][13].

Yoon Files Appeal and Claims Political Motivation On 24 February 2026 Yoon’s legal team submitted an appeal challenging the life‑prison verdict, arguing the indictment was “overzealous” and politically driven [1]. Lawyers warned the court’s ruling contradicts earlier decisions and pledged to document perceived irregularities for historical records [1]. Yoon’s counsel expressed doubt about the appeal’s prospects, citing concerns over judicial independence [6].

International Reaction Emphasizes Judicial Independence and Alliance The U.S. State Department responded on 20 February 2026, stating the life sentence is a matter for South Korea’s courts and reaffirming the “ironclad” U.S.–ROK alliance [4][5]. The statement, delivered via email to Yonhap, highlighted respect for Korean judicial processes while underscoring continued security cooperation [4]. Analysts and global observers cited the case as a test of democratic resilience and the rule of law in the region [2][11].

Sources

Timeline

May 2022 – Yoon Suk‑yeol assumes the presidency, beginning a term during which he repeatedly references emergency powers, later cited as early evidence of his intent to use martial‑law authority [23].

Before Oct 2023 – The special counsel concludes Yoon starts planning a martial‑law bid, coordinating with senior aides to halt the National Assembly and seize legislative power [23][25].

Dec 3 2024 – Yoon declares martial law, claiming “anti‑state forces” threaten the nation; troops seal the National Assembly, and prosecutors later allege he ordered secret drone flights toward North Korea [5][14].

Dec 4 2024 (early hours) – Lawmakers storm the Assembly, barricade doors and even seize a soldier’s rifle, voting unanimously to overturn the decree; Yoon withdraws the martial‑law order at 4:27 a.m. [1][30].

Dec 14 2024 – The National Assembly impeaches Yoon, triggering a constitutional crisis that tests South Korea’s democratic safeguards [1][30].

Jan 3 2025 – Yoon is arrested after a two‑and‑a‑half‑week confinement in the presidential residence, marking the first detention of a former South Korean president [1].

July 2025 – Authorities arrest Yoon again on additional charges tied to the martial‑law bid, a Marine death probe, and alleged corruption involving his wife [30].

Dec 1 2025 – Acting police chief Yoo Jae‑seong apologizes publicly for police actions that sealed off the Assembly during the Dec 3 crisis, acknowledging the breach of constitutional order [26].

Dec 12 2025 – President Lee Jae‑Myung delivers a special address commemorating the first anniversary of Yoon’s martial‑law declaration, emphasizing citizens’ role in restoring democracy [29][27].

Jan 13 2026 – Special counsel Cho Eun‑suk formally requests the death penalty for Yoon, describing him as the “ringleader of an insurrection” seeking to seize judicial and legislative control [14][16]; the Blue House urges the judiciary to align its ruling with public expectations [15].

Jan 15 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court schedules Yoon’s first sentencing hearing on obstruction of justice; Yoon defends his use of the Presidential Security Service, arguing “presidential security cannot be too excessive” [13].

Jan 16 2026 – A court convicts Yoon of abuse of power, obstruction of justice and document falsification, imposing a five‑year prison term—the first verdict in a series of eight related trials [3][13].

Jan 21 2026 – Former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo receives a 23‑year sentence for abetting the insurrection, with the judge calling the Dec 3 decree a “self‑coup” that threatened the Constitution [10][12].

Feb 4 2026 – Former NIS director Cho Tae‑yong denies dereliction of duty, with his lawyer accusing the special counsel of “imagining” a conspiracy and urging the court to focus on insurrection charges [8].

Feb 4 2026 – People Power Party leader Jang Dong‑hyeok calls for three separate special‑counsel probes into alleged Unification Church ties, bribery and the martial‑law case, citing previous investigations that “fizzled out” [9].

Feb 19 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court sentences Yoon to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection; Judge Jee Kui‑youn notes Yoon “tried to paralyze the National Assembly” but cites his age as a mitigating factor [6][7].

Feb 22 2026 – The life‑sentence verdict is upheld, with Gi‑Wook Shin of Stanford’s Korea program stating the case “offers a rare example of democratic resilience,” while polls show 27 % of voters still consider Yoon not guilty [1].

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