Life Sentence Delivered for 2024 Martial‑Law Insurrection The Seoul Central District Court handed former President Yoon Suk‑yeol a life‑imprisonment term on 19 February 2026 after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection tied to his six‑hour martial‑law decree on 3 December 2024 [2][4][6]. The court classified the deployment of troops to the National Assembly as a riotous, unconstitutional act, marking the first life sentence ever imposed on a South Korean civilian head of state [4]. Yoon had been impeached on 14 December 2024 and formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025, remaining in custody throughout the trial [6].

Six‑Hour Martial Law Decree Sparked Parliamentary Crisis In a televised address on 3 December 2024, Yoon announced martial law, accusing opposition lawmakers of colluding with “North Korean communists” and ordered soldiers to descend on the parliament by helicopter [4][3]. Lawmakers broke the military blockade after roughly six hours, voting unanimously to lift the decree and restore legislative activity [3][5]. The brief emergency suspended political activities, media, and permitted warrantless arrests before being overturned by the Assembly [6].

Senior Officials Receive Decades‑Long Prison Terms Former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun was sentenced to 30 years for planning and deploying troops, while former intelligence commander Noh Sang‑won received 18 years, former police chief Cho Ji‑ho 12 years, and former Seoul police chief Kim Bong‑sik 10 years for enforcing the illegal order [2][7]. Former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo was handed a 23‑year term for falsifying cabinet records to legitimize the decree [6][4]. The breadth of convictions underscores a sweeping judicial crackdown on the entire chain of command [2].

Court Rejects Death Penalty, Cites Limited Violence Special prosecutors asked for capital punishment, arguing the coup threatened democracy, but the bench opted for life imprisonment, citing the absence of a meticulously pre‑planned scheme, minimal actual violence, Yoon’s age (65), and the limited force used [2][3][8]. South Korea’s de facto moratorium on executions—no death carried out since 1997—made a death sentence unlikely [8][6]. Judges emphasized that the insurrection’s intent to paralyze a constitutional body, rather than mass casualties, guided the sentencing decision [2].

Political Fallout and Historical Comparisons Highlight Verdict Impact Yoon’s legal team denounced the ruling as a “predetermined verdict,” alleging procedural flaws, while opposition parties called for party reforms and expressed disappointment that the death penalty was not imposed [2][4]. The sentencing mirrors the 1996 death sentence of former dictator Chun Doo‑hwan, later commuted to life, marking a rare instance of severe punishment for a civilian leader [1][6]. Supporters gathered outside the historic courtroom, echoing past political turmoil, as analysts warned the verdict would leave both major parties in disarray [3][5].