Kim Nam‑joon Resigns to Run in Incheon as Yoon Suk‑yeol Issues Apology After Life Sentence

Updated 2026-02-20 07:13:39+00:00 (165 articles)

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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Rep. Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, heads to his office at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
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In this Dec. 24, 2025, file photo, presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (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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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
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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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Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Party, attends a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 20, 2026, a day after a court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison for his failed bid to impose martial law in 2024. (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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Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Party, attends a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 20, 2026, a day after a court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison 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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In this Dec. 24, 2025, file photo, presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Rep. Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, heads to his office at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Rep. Jung Chung-rae, leader of the ruling Democratic Party, expresses regret over a court ruling that sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison over his failed 2024 martial law bid during a party meeting held at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026. (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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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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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

Life sentence imposed on former president for 2024 martial‑law insurrection The Seoul Central District Court sentenced ex‑president Yoon Suk‑yeol to life imprisonment on Feb 19, 2026, finding his Dec 3, 2024 decree of martial law and the deployment of troops to the National Assembly constituted an insurrection aimed at paralyzing the legislature [7][8][13]. The court rejected Yoon’s claim that the decree was merely a “warning‑and‑appeal” measure, labeling the troop blockade a riotous, unconstitutional act [7]. Special prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but judges cited limited pre‑meditation, Yoon’s age (65) and the brief six‑hour duration of the martial‑law episode as mitigating factors, resulting in a life term [13][14]. Co‑defendants, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun, received sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years [7][13].

Yoon publicly apologizes while disputing the verdict’s logic On Feb 20, 2026, Yoon issued a statement apologizing for the “despair and suffering” caused by his actions, while insisting the Dec 3 decree was intended to protect the nation from anti‑state forces [2][4][5]. He rejected the characterization of troop deployment as insurrection, describing it as a necessary safeguard and questioning whether an appeal could guarantee a fair judiciary [2]. His legal team called the ruling “inconsistent” and “a work of fiction,” alleging procedural flaws and promising to consider an appeal after consulting Yoon [12][13].

People Power Party grapples with internal division over Yoon’s fate PPP leader Jang Dong‑hyeok expressed regret over the life sentence but warned that calls to sever ties with Yoon would sow division, emphasizing equal presumption of innocence and hinting at continued loyalty [3][6][10]. Floor leader Song Eon‑seok apologized on behalf of the party, pledging humility and a reaffirmation of rule of law, while Democratic Party leader Jung Chung‑rae criticized the sentence as too lenient and pushed for stricter pardon restrictions [10]. Former chief Han Dong‑hoon publicly urged the PPP to dismiss Jang, fearing the party’s electoral prospects in the June 3 local elections would suffer without decisive action [3].

Public rallies and police deployments underscore societal split Approximately 1,000 Yoon supporters gathered near the Seoul Central District Court to protest the verdict, while a left‑leaning Candlelight Action rally nearby celebrated the conviction, prompting the deployment of about 1,000 police officers to prevent clashes [11]. Judges highlighted the “incalculable” damage to Korea’s democratic fabric and international credibility caused by the martial‑law episode [7]. The court’s decision marks the first verdict in the case, with further appeals and related prosecutions expected to continue shaping the political landscape [8][13].

Kim Nam‑joon steps down as presidential spokesperson to run for office On Feb 20, 2026, Kim Nam‑joon submitted his resignation as presidential spokesperson, five months after his September 2025 appointment as the second spokesperson alongside Kang Yu‑jung [1]. A close confidant of President Lee Jae Myung, Kim previously served as Lee’s chief secretary and press secretary, and now aims to contest the Gyeyang‑B district seat in Incheon—Lee’s former constituency—in the June 2026 local elections [1]. His resignation aligns with the campaign calendar, allowing him to focus on the upcoming local polls [1].

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Timeline

Dec 3, 2024 – President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law, mobilises troops, orders armed soldiers to descend on the National Assembly and announces the move targets “anti‑state forces” threatening the nation[4][6].

Dec 4, 2024 – Lawmakers break the military blockade, vote at 1:01 a.m. to nullify the decree and Yoon announces the end of martial law at 4:27 a.m., ending a six‑hour emergency order[4][30].

Dec 14, 2024 – The National Assembly impeaches Yoon, triggering a constitutional crisis and setting the stage for his removal[4].

Apr 2025 – The Constitutional Court unanimously upholds the impeachment, formally removing Yoon from office after 111 days of proceedings[30].

Jun 3, 2025 – A snap presidential election installs Lee Jae Myung as president, marking the first peaceful transition since the martial‑law episode[30].

Nov 30, 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung announces a special address to commemorate the first anniversary of Yoon’s martial‑law declaration, promising to highlight citizens’ role in restoring democracy[27].

Dec 1, 2025 – Acting NPA chief Yoo Jae‑seong apologises to the nation, saying “we deeply regret the police actions that disrupted democracy” during the night of the martial‑law declaration[26].

Dec 2, 2025 – Special prosecutors raid the office of special counsel Cho Eun‑suk, seizing Telegram messages that could link former first lady Kim Keon‑hee to attempts to silence investigations[25].

Dec 2, 2025 – Seoul Central District Court denies an arrest warrant for PPP lawmaker Choo Kyung‑ho, finding insufficient evidence of flight risk or evidence tampering in the dispute over the martial‑law vote venue[24].

Dec 12, 2025 – President Lee delivers the scheduled address at the National Assembly, stressing “democratic resilience” after a year of protests and praising the public’s role in overturning the illegal decree[29].

Jan 9, 2026 – The final hearing of Yoon’s eight‑defendant insurrection trial convenes, with prosecutors poised to request death, life imprisonment, or life without forced labour for the former president[23].

Jan 12, 2026 – Special counsel Cho Eun‑suk seeks a 15‑year prison term for ex‑Interior Minister Lee Sang‑min, arguing he knowingly helped destroy the Constitution; the court schedules a ruling for Feb 12[20].

Jan 13, 2026 – Prosecutors ask for the death penalty against Yoon, describing him as the “ringleader of an insurrection,” while the Blue House urges judges to render a decision that “meets public expectations”[17][18].

Jan 15, 2026 – The first verdict in Yoon’s eight‑trial package on martial‑law charges is slated for delivery, marking the opening of a series of high‑profile rulings[1].

Jan 16, 2026 – Seoul Central District Court convicts Yoon of abuse of power and obstruction, sentencing him to five years in prison for shielding himself with presidential bodyguards and falsifying documents[2][16].

Jan 19, 2026 – Yoon’s legal team files an appeal against the five‑year term, citing procedural errors and inadequate consideration of key evidence[15].

Jan 21, 2026 – Former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo receives a 23‑year prison term for rebellion, found guilty of falsifying the martial‑law proclamation and giving procedural legitimacy to Yoon’s decree[11].

Jan 22, 2026 – The court’s ruling on Han reinforces the crackdown on Yoon’s inner circle, confirming the 23‑year sentence and signalling further judgments against other aides[5].

Jan 26, 2026 – Ex‑Justice Minister Park Sung‑jae denies all insurrection charges, asserting he opposed the martial‑law decree and expressed “profound remorse” for the constitutional confusion it caused[10].

Feb 4, 2026 – Former NIS director Cho Tae‑yong rejects dereliction‑of‑duty accusations, arguing the indictment “imagines” a conspiracy and should focus on insurrection rather than speculative charges[8].

Feb 4, 2026 – People Power Party leader Jang Dong‑hyeok calls for three separate special‑counsel probes into ruling‑party scandals, warning that a combined investigation would “obscure accountability”[9].

Feb 12, 2026 – The court is expected to deliver its decision on Lee Sang‑min’s case, which could impose the 15‑year term sought by prosecutors[20].

Feb 19, 2026 – Seoul Central District Court sentences Yoon to life imprisonment for insurrection, with Judge Ji Gwi‑yeon stating Yoon “aimed to paralyze the National Assembly” by deploying troops; former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun receives 30 years and other officials receive 3‑18 years[4][6].

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