South Korean Ex‑President Yoon Suk‑Yeol Sentenced to Life for 2024 Martial‑Law Insurrection
Updated (6 articles)
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Image: YonhapSupporters 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
Life Sentence Delivered by Seoul Central District Court Former President Yoon Suk‑Yeol received a life‑term on 19 Feb 2026 after the Seoul Central District Court found him guilty of insurrection for the December 2024 martial‑law attempt [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The ruling, handed down by Judge Jee Kui‑youn (named Ji Gwi‑yeon in one report), rejected prosecutors’ death‑penalty request and cited Yoon’s age 65 and lack of prior convictions as mitigating factors [2][4]. Yoon’s legal team denounced the verdict as procedurally flawed, while prosecutors called the decision “meaningful” despite planning an appeal [1][2].
Six‑Hour Martial‑Law Decree Aimed at Parliament On 3 Dec 2024, Yoon announced martial law, ordering troops to descend on the National Assembly and suspending political activity, media, and warrantless arrests [1][3][5]. Lawmakers broke the military blockade and voted to lift the decree after roughly six hours, restoring legislative functions [3][5]. The court concluded Yoon’s intent was to paralyze the Assembly, meeting the constitutional definition of insurrection [1][2][4].
Co‑Defendants Receive Lengthy Prison Terms Former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun was sentenced to 30 years, former National Police Agency chief Cho Ji‑ho to 12 years, and former Seoul Metropolitan Police chief Kim Bong‑sik to 10 years for executing the illegal order [2][4][6]. Former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo also received 23 years for facilitating the decree, a detail highlighted by AP and The Hindu but omitted in some reports [3][5]. Four additional former military and police officials received sentences ranging from three to eighteen years [1].
Prosecutors’ Death‑Penalty Demand Overruled Special prosecutors sought capital punishment, arguing Yoon’s actions threatened democracy, but the court opted for life imprisonment, marking a divergence between prosecutorial and judicial assessments [1][5][6]. The judges emphasized the non‑violent nature of the power grab and Yoon’s limited use of force as reasons for the lighter sentence [2][4]. The sentencing mirrors the 1996 case of former dictator Chun Doo‑hwan, the only other former leader to receive a comparable penalty [3].
Existing Convictions and Detention Timeline Yoon is already serving a five‑year term for obstructing authorities, a conviction handed down in a separate trial [2][4][5]. He was impeached on 14 Dec 2024, removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025, and has been in custody since July 2024 (or July 2025 according to some sources) [3][5]. Appeals are expected from both his defense team and the special counsel’s office [2].
Sources
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1.
CNN: Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life for Insurrection: Details Yoon’s life sentence, martial‑law declaration, judge’s remarks, and broader prosecutions, emphasizing Yoon’s claim of procedural flaws .
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Yonhap (1): Former South Korean President Yoon Sentenced to Life for 2024 Martial‑Law Attempt: Highlights life sentence, judge’s view of intent to paralyze the Assembly, co‑defendant terms, and supporters rallying outside the historic courtroom .
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AP: Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life for 2024 Martial‑Law Rebellion: Focuses on rebellion charge, six‑hour decree, Yoon’s removal and detention timeline, and prosecutor’s death‑penalty request .
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Yonhap (2): Former South Korean President Yoon Sentenced to Life for 2024 Martial‑Law Attempt: Stresses legal distinction between martial law and insurrection, mitigating factors, and co‑defendant sentences .
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The Hindu: Former South Korean President Yoon Sentenced to Life for 2024 Martial Law Coup: Provides analysis of death‑penalty demand, senior officials’ sentences, and South Korea’s de facto death‑penalty moratorium .
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6.
Yonhap (3): Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life for 2024 Martial Law Attempt: Reports live‑broadcast trial, core troop‑deployment element, and lighter sentencing than prosecutors sought .
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Timeline
July 2024 – Yoon Suk Yeol remains in custody while facing multiple criminal investigations, marking the first time a sitting president is detained amid a looming constitutional crisis (source [2]).
Dec 3, 2024 – Yoon announces a six‑hour martial‑law decree, deploying soldiers by helicopter to the National Assembly, suspending political activity and media, but lawmakers break the blockade and lift the order after six hours (sources [1], [2], [4]).
Dec 14, 2024 – The National Assembly suspends Yoon and initiates impeachment proceedings, accusing him of attempting to usurp democratic authority (source [2]).
Jan 2025 – Police conduct a weeks‑long standoff at Yoon’s residence; he is arrested and formally detained, intensifying the political turmoil (source [1]).
Apr 2025 – The Constitutional Court formally removes Yoon from the presidency, ending his term and confirming his impeachment (source [2]).
2025 – Yoon receives a five‑year prison term for obstructing authorities in a separate case, adding to his legal jeopardy (source [1]).
2025 – Prosecutors bring drone‑deployment charges against Yoon, expanding the scope of alleged abuses of power (source [1]).
2025 – Former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo is sentenced to 23 years and former Interior Minister Lee Sang‑min to seven years for their roles in the martial‑law scheme (source [1]).
2025 – Former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun is sentenced to 30 years for planning and executing the troop deployment to the Assembly (source [1]).
2025 – Four other former military and police officials receive prison terms ranging from three to 18 years for participating in the insurrection (source [1]).
2025 – Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, begins serving a 1‑year‑8‑month sentence for bribery, highlighting the broader corruption probe (source [1]).
1996 – Former military dictator Chun Doo‑hwan receives a death sentence for his 1979 coup, later reduced to life and pardoned in 1997, establishing a precedent for severe punishment of former leaders (source [2]).
1997‑present – South Korea maintains a de facto moratorium on executions, with no death carried out since 1997, shaping expectations for Yoon’s sentencing (source [3]).
Feb 19, 2026 – A Seoul Central District Court judge sentences Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment for rebellion, concluding that his martial‑law attempt constituted an insurrection aimed at paralyzing the National Assembly (sources [1], [4], [6]).
Feb 19, 2026 – The court also hands 30‑year, 12‑year, and 10‑year terms to former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun, former police chief Cho Ji‑ho, and former Seoul police chief Kim Bong‑sik respectively for enforcing the illegal decree (source [5]).
Feb 19, 2026 – The sentencing takes place in the historic courtroom where Chun Doo‑hwan was sentenced in 1996, and supporters gather outside to proclaim Yoon’s innocence (source [5]).
Feb 19, 2026 – Yoon’s lawyer denounces the verdict as “a delusion and a work of fiction,” calling it a “formality” and announcing plans to appeal after consulting the former president (sources [1], [5]).
Feb 19, 2026 – Special prosecutor Cho Eun‑suk’s team had sought the death penalty, labeling the rebellion a threat to democracy, but the court opts for life imprisonment, reflecting a divergence between prosecutorial and judicial assessments (source [2]).
Feb 19, 2026 – Yoon’s legal team signals an upcoming appeal, while prosecutors also indicate they will appeal the life‑sentence ruling, ensuring the case will continue in higher courts (source [5]).