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South Korea Sentences Former President Yoon Suk‑Yeol to Life for 2024 Martial‑Law Insurrection

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  • (URGENT) Court sentences ex-President Yoon to life imprisonment over martial law bid - 1
    (URGENT) Court sentences ex-President Yoon to life imprisonment over martial law bid - 1
    Image: Yonhap
    (URGENT) Court sentences ex-President Yoon to life imprisonment over martial law bid - 1 Source Full size
  • 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)
    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)
    Image: Yonhap
    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)
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap)
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • None
    None
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  • Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap)
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • 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)
    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)
    Image: Yonhap
    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
  • 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)
    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)
    Image: Yonhap
    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
  • 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)
    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)
    Image: Yonhap
    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
  • Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap)
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • 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)
    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)
    Image: Yonhap
    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 by Seoul Central District Court On 19 February 2026 the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former President Yoon Suk‑Yeol to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection tied to his six‑hour martial‑law declaration on 3 December 2024 [2][3][4]. The presiding judge is identified as Jee Kui‑youn in Yonhap and AP reports, while CNN names the judge as Ji Gwi‑yeon, reflecting a reporting discrepancy [1][2]. Yoon, 65, had already been serving a five‑year term for a separate obstruction conviction when the life sentence was imposed [2][6].

December 3 2024 Martial‑Law Decree Briefly Halted Parliament Yoon announced martial law in a televised address, claiming “anti‑state forces” threatened national security and ordered troops to seal the National Assembly [1][3][6]. Lawmakers broke the military blockade after roughly six hours and voted unanimously to lift the decree, forcing Yoon’s order to collapse [1][3][6]. He was impeached on 14 December 2024, removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025, and has remained in custody since July 2024 [3][6].

Co‑Defendants Receive Decades‑Long Prison Terms Former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun received a 30‑year term, former police chief Cho Ji‑ho 12 years, and former Seoul Metropolitan Police chief Kim Bong‑sik 10 years for executing the illegal order [2][4][7]. Yonhap also notes former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo was sentenced to 23 years for facilitating the decree [3][6]. The court sentenced a total of seven co‑defendants to terms ranging from three to 30 years, underscoring the breadth of the prosecution’s case [1][4].

Prosecutors Sought Death Penalty, Court Opted for Life Special prosecutors requested the death penalty, arguing Yoon’s mobilization of the military threatened democracy [6][9]. The court cited mitigating factors such as the failed nature of the coup, Yoon’s age, and the limited use of force, resulting in a life sentence rather than capital punishment [2][4]. Analysts had anticipated life imprisonment given the non‑violent character of the power grab, and the decision aligns with South Korea’s de facto moratorium on executions since 1997 [6].

Yoon’s Legal Team and Political Leaders Contest Verdict Yoon’s lawyers denounced the ruling as procedurally flawed and called it a “formality,” indicating plans to appeal [2][5]. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik publicly urged Yoon to apologize, emphasizing that the judgment formally classifies the December 2024 episode as insurrection [5]. The sentencing hearing was broadcast live from the historic courtroom that once sentenced former military dictator Chun Doo‑hwan, adding symbolic weight to the proceedings [2][7].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 3, 2024 – President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law, mobilises troops and police to seal off the National Assembly and orders arrests, claiming “anti‑state forces” threaten the nation; the decree lasts only six hours before lawmakers overturn it[4][7].

Apr 2025 – South Korea’s Constitutional Court suspends Yoon and removes him from office, citing the illegal martial‑law declaration as a breach of constitutional order[7].

Jul 2025 – Authorities re‑arrest Yoon after he continues to resist investigations related to the martial‑law episode, marking his second detention since the decree[7].

Jan 2025 – Yoon orders the Presidential Security Service to block investigators from detaining him at the presidential residence, constituting the core “obstruction of justice” charge[27].

Jul 17, 2025 – Special counsel Cho Eun‑suk files indictments against Yoon for obstruction, rights violations of nine cabinet members, and falsifying a revised proclamation tied to the Dec 2024 martial‑law bid[27].

Dec 11, 2025 – Former Justice Minister Park Sung‑jae is indicted on insurrection charges for coordinating officials and allegedly acting on a request from Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon‑Hee, to clear her of criminal charges[30].

Dec 25‑26, 2025 – Prosecutors seek a 10‑year prison term for Yoon’s obstruction case and present the first sentencing recommendation, while Yoon denies the charges and blames the opposition[26][25].

Jan 4, 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court schedules the final hearings of Yoon’s insurrection trial, expecting sentencing in early February and noting the case involves “subverting the Constitution via illegal martial law”[24].

Jan 9, 2026 – The court postpones the sentencing hearing for Yoon’s insurrection case to the following Tuesday, extending the timeline for the death‑penalty request[23].

Jan 13, 2026 – Prosecutors and the independent special counsel each request the death penalty for Yoon, describing him as the “ringleader of an insurrection” who aimed to seize the judiciary and legislature[3][19][20][21][22].

Jan 15, 2026 – The first verdict on Yoon’s martial‑law‑related charges is due, while prosecutors reiterate that the death penalty is “rare” in South Korea, which has not executed anyone since 1997[1][17].

Jan 16, 2026 – A Seoul court convicts Yoon of abuse of power, obstruction and falsifying documents, sentencing him to five years in prison; Yoon maintains the decree was “intended to protect the country from anti‑state forces”[2][16].

Jan 17, 2026 – Yoon’s lawyers claim the five‑year ruling is “purely based on political reasoning” and denounce a “collapse of constitutionalism”[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 lying under oath[11][13].

Jan 22, 2026 – The court confirms Han’s 23‑year sentence and notes the ruling signals further convictions for Yoon’s aides; special counsel files an appeal against Yoon’s five‑year obstruction sentence[5][10].

Jan 26, 2026 – Former Justice Minister Park Sung‑jae denies all insurrection charges, asserting he opposed the martial‑law decree and feels “profound remorse”[9]; the same day Han Duck‑soo and special counsel file appeals against the 23‑year verdict, with the appeal set for a new division on Feb 23[8].

Feb 19, 2026 – Yoon Suk Yeol is sentenced to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection, with Judge Ji Gwi‑yeon stating his decree aimed to “paralyze the National Assembly”; senior officials receive long terms (defence minister 30 years, Han Duck‑soo 23 years)[4][7].

Feb 19, 2026 – National Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik urges Yoon to apologize, noting the court’s verdict formally classifies the Dec 3, 2024 martial‑law attempt as an act of insurrection[6].

Feb 23, 2026 (planned) – A Seoul High Court division begins hearing Han Duck‑soo’s appeal of his 23‑year rebellion sentence, reflecting the ongoing legal fallout from the 2024 martial‑law crisis[8].

Historical context: Former President Park Geun‑hye is jailed in 2021 for abuse of power and later pardoned, illustrating precedent for prosecuting ex‑leaders[2]; former dictator Chun Doo‑hwan receives a death sentence in 1996 that is later commuted, underscoring South Korea’s long‑standing de facto moratorium on executions since 1997[3].

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