South Korean Ex‑President Yoon Suk‑yeol Sentenced to Life for 2024 Martial‑Law Insurrection

Updated 2026-02-21 23:00:34+00:00 (71 articles)

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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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(URGENT) Court sentences ex-President Yoon to life imprisonment over martial law bid - 1 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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The insurrection trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol is held at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital on Jan. 9, 2026, in this photo provided by the court. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size

Life Sentence Delivered for 2024 Martial‑Law Insurrection The Seoul Central District Court handed former President Yoon Suk‑yeol a life‑imprisonment sentence on 19 February 2026 for leading an insurrection tied to his six‑hour martial‑law decree of 3 December 2024 [4][5][8][10][14][15]. The court rejected the death‑penalty recommendation of special prosecutors, citing limited premeditation, Yoon’s age (65) and the absence of lethal violence [4][14]. This marks the first life sentence imposed on a South Korean head of state since the 1996 Chun Doo‑hwan case [10][13]. Yoon’s conviction concludes the first‑trial ruling in a legal saga that began with his impeachment in December 2024 [4][5].

Court Rejects Yoon’s Defense and Emphasizes Intent to Paralyze Legislature Judges dismissed Yoon’s claim that the decree was a “warning‑and‑appeal‑type” martial law, finding the deployment of troops to seal the National Assembly a subversive act [4][8]. Presiding judge Jee Kui‑youn (or Ji Gwi‑yeon) stated that Yoon deliberately aimed to block parliamentary work, meeting the constitutional definition of insurrection [9][11][12]. The sentencing rationale highlighted the brief duration of the crisis, minimal actual violence, and Yoon’s advanced age as mitigating factors [4][14]. Prosecutors had sought the maximum penalty, arguing the act threatened democratic order [4][12].

Co‑Defendants Receive Decades‑Long Terms While Yoon Serves Additional Five‑Year Penalty Former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun received a 30‑year term, former intelligence commander Noh Sang‑won 18 years, former police chief Cho Ji‑ho 12 years, and former Seoul police chief Kim Bong‑sik 10 years for enforcing the decree [4][5][8][9][14]. Former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo was sentenced to 23 years for falsifying cabinet records to legitimize the martial‑law order [8][13]. Yoon is already serving a separate five‑year sentence for obstructing investigators, adding to his cumulative legal penalties [9][11][13]. The court’s decision underscores a broad crackdown on senior officials involved in the power grab [4][5][8].

Apology, Protests and Political Fallout Mark Aftermath Yoon issued a public apology on 20 February 2026, expressing regret for public suffering while insisting the decree was meant to protect the nation [2][3]. Approximately 1,000 of his supporters gathered outside the court, while left‑leaning Candlelight Action rallied in favor of the verdict, highlighting disappointment that the death penalty was not imposed [7][13]. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik urged Yoon to repent, noting the ruling formally classifies the martial‑law attempt as insurrection [12]. Analysts argue the life sentence will not provide national closure, as political parties remain divided over the judgment [6][13].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 3 2024 – President Yoon Suk Yeol declares six‑hour martial law, ordering troops and helicopters to seal the National Assembly and announcing “anti‑state forces” threaten the nation; the decree is lifted after lawmakers break the blockade and vote to end it[4].

Dec 14 2024 – Lawmakers impeach Yoon just 11 days after the decree, marking a swift constitutional response to the attempted self‑coup[4].

Apr 2025 – The Constitutional Court formally removes Yoon from office, ending his presidency amid the martial‑law crisis[10].

Jul 2025 – Yoon is re‑arrested and detained on additional martial‑law‑related charges, beginning a series of prosecutions that will span eight trials[10].

Dec 11 2025 – Former Justice Minister Park Sung‑jae is indicted on insurrection charges for coordinating ministries and supporting Yoon’s martial‑law regime[30].

Dec 15‑16 2025 – The Seoul Central District Court sets Jan 16 2026 as the verdict date for Yoon’s obstruction‑of‑justice case, the first ruling in his four‑case trial bundle[27].

Dec 25 2025 – Yoon is slated to receive the first sentencing recommendation on obstruction charges, with a verdict expected on Jan 16 2026[26].

Dec 26 2025 – Special counsel Cho Eun‑suk files a request for a 10‑year prison term for Yoon on obstruction and related offenses, underscoring the prosecution’s push for a harsh penalty[25].

Jan 9 2026 – The final hearing in Yoon’s insurrection trial convenes, with eight defendants present; prosecutors signal they will seek death, life or life‑without‑forced‑labor sentences[24].

Jan 13 2026 – Prosecutors close arguments and formally request the death penalty for Yoon, labeling the December 2024 decree a “self‑coup” driven by “lust for power”[3][22].

Jan 15 2026 – Special counsel again petitions for the death penalty, arguing the martial‑law act endangered constitutional order and constitutes a grave breach of public sovereignty[21].

Jan 15 2026 – The court announces the first verdict on martial‑law‑related charges will be delivered on Jan 16, with live broadcast planned[1][20].

Jan 16 2026 – Yoon is convicted of obstruction of justice and sentenced to five years in prison, the court finding he ordered the Presidential Security Service to block investigators and privatized armed forces[19][2].

Jan 17 2026 – Media report the five‑year sentence, noting the court’s characterization of Yoon’s actions as “very bad” and his lack of remorse[18].

Jan 19 2026 – Yoon’s legal team files an appeal of the five‑year obstruction sentence, claiming procedural errors and disputing the evidence base[17].

Jan 21 2026 – Former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo receives a 23‑year prison term for abetting the insurrection, the first cabinet‑level conviction linked to the martial‑law episode[13].

Jan 22 2026 – Special counsel files an appeal of the five‑year obstruction ruling, seeking a harsher outcome and challenging the not‑guilty verdicts on several charges[12].

Feb 19 2026 – A Seoul court convicts Yoon of insurrection and sentences him to life imprisonment, the harshest penalty ever imposed on a former South Korean head of state; co‑defendants receive 30‑year (defense minister) and 12‑year (police chief) terms[5][9].

Feb 20 2026 – Yoon issues a public apology, saying, “I deeply apologize to the people for making you experience much despair and suffering due to my shortcomings,” while insisting the decree was meant to protect the nation[7][6].

Feb 20 2026 – Special counsel Cho Eun‑suk announces plans to appeal the life‑sentence ruling, maintaining the death‑penalty request despite the court’s decision[6].

Feb 21 2026 – International coverage highlights that Yoon’s life term revives memories of Chun Doo‑hwan’s 1980s martial‑law rule, the last such decree in South Korea 44 years earlier[4].

Future (by Jan 23 2026) – Yoon has seven days to file an appeal of the five‑year obstruction sentence, a deadline that will close on Jan 23[2].

Future (post‑Feb 20 2026) – Yoon’s legal team says it will decide whether to appeal the life‑sentence after consulting him, indicating a pending higher‑court challenge[6].

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