Yoon Suk‑yeol Receives Life Sentence, Issues Apology After 2024 Martial‑Law Insurrection Verdict

Updated 2026-02-20 06:00:45+00:00 (70 articles)

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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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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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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (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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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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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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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 imprisonment handed down for 2024 martial‑law insurrection

The Seoul Central District Court sentenced former President Yoon Suk‑yeol to life imprisonment on 19 February 2026 for leading an insurrection tied to his six‑hour martial‑law decree of 3 December 2024, which deployed troops to seal the National Assembly and aimed to paralyze the legislature [3][8][13]. Judges rejected Yoon’s claim that the decree was a “warning‑and‑appeal‑type” measure, labeling the troop deployment a subversive act that constituted a riot under the Constitution [3][7]. The court emphasized Yoon’s personal planning and intent to cripple a constitutional body, distinguishing the illegal act from the mere declaration of martial law [8][10].

Co‑defendants receive lengthy prison terms

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong‑hyun was sentenced to 30 years, former intelligence commander Noh Sang‑won to 18 years, former police chief Cho Ji‑ho to 12 years, and former Seoul police chief Kim Bong‑sik to 10 years for executing the decree [3][8][10]. Additional officials received terms ranging from three to 18 years, while two were acquitted for insufficient evidence [3]. The sentencing aligns with the court’s view that the coordinated use of military and police forces amplified the insurrection’s severity [3][8].

Prosecutors sought death penalty; court opted for life

Special counsel Cho Eun‑suk’s team recommended the statutory death penalty, arguing that Yoon’s actions threatened national security and democratic order [1][5][12]. The judges cited limited premeditation, minimal actual violence, Yoon’s age of 65, and the swift collapse of the martial‑law order as mitigating factors, resulting in a life term rather than execution [3][8][10]. South Korea’s long‑standing moratorium on capital punishment, in place since 1997, further reduced the likelihood of a death sentence [5][12].

Yoon apologizes while defending the decree

On 20 February 2026, Yoon issued a public apology, saying he deeply regretted the “despair and suffering” caused by his “shortcomings,” yet maintained that the December 2024 decree was intended solely to protect the nation [1][2]. He rejected the logic that troop movements equated to insurrection and expressed doubts about the fairness of any appeal, citing concerns over judicial independence [1][2]. Yoon’s lawyers described the verdict as a “formality” and indicated they would consider an appeal after consulting him [8][10].

Public rallies and political fallout follow verdict

Approximately 1,000 Yoon supporters gathered outside the court, chanting in protest, while left‑leaning groups held a separate rally praising the conviction [6]. Conservative figures denounced the ruling as politically motivated, whereas Democratic Party lawmakers criticized the life sentence as too lenient, urging harsher punishment [6][3]. The ruling marks the first conviction of a former South Korean president for insurrection, echoing the historic 1996 Chun Doo‑hwan case [9][12].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 3 2024 – Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law in a televised address, accusing opposition lawmakers of “anti‑state forces” and ordering troops to seal off the National Assembly; the decree is lifted after six hours when legislators break the blockade and vote to end it [4][6].

1996 – Former dictator Chun Doo‑hwan receives a death‑penalty recommendation for his 1979 coup and the Gwangju crackdown, a sentence later commuted to life imprisonment, illustrating South Korea’s historical use of capital punishment for political coups [3][19].

1997 – South Korea enforces a de facto moratorium on executions, with no death sentence carried out since, shaping the legal backdrop for Yoon’s later death‑penalty requests [3][19].

2021 – Ex‑president Park Geun‑hye is jailed for abuse of power and bribery, then pardoned shortly after, providing a precedent for former leaders facing criminal convictions [2].

Apr 2025 – The Constitutional Court removes Yoon Suk Yeol from office following impeachment, ending his presidency after the martial‑law crisis [18].

Jul 2025 – Yoon is re‑arrested after a July 17 indictment by special counsel Cho Eun‑suk on obstruction of justice, abuse of power, falsification of documents and related charges tied to the December 2024 martial‑law attempt [27][23].

Dec 2025 – Prosecutors and the independent counsel each seek the death penalty for Yoon on rebellion/insurrection charges, describing his decree as a “self‑coup” aimed at prolonging his rule [18][19]; special counsel also requests a 10‑year term for obstruction of justice, labeling the acts a “grave crime” that privatized state institutions [24][25].

Jan 4 2026 – The insurrection trial schedules four hearings that week, merging Yoon’s case with former defence minister Kim Yong‑hyun and former police chief Cho Ji‑ho, with sentencing expected in early February [22].

Jan 9 2026 – The court postpones sentencing recommendations to the following Tuesday, extending the timeline for the eight‑defendant insurrection trial and signaling that the special counsel may request death, life imprisonment, or life without forced labour [20].

Jan 13 2026 – Prosecutors close arguments and request the death penalty or life imprisonment for Yoon, calling his motive “lust for power” and citing a memo proposing the disposal of “hundreds, including journalists and lawmakers” [3]; Yoon tells Yonhap, “I acted to fend off the wickedness that would ruin the nation.” [3].

Jan 15 2026 – The court sets the first martial‑law verdict for Jan 16, with special counsel seeking a 10‑year term and the death penalty for the insurrection charge [17][27].

Jan 16 2026 – Yoon receives a five‑year prison sentence for obstruction of justice, with Judge Baek Dae‑hyun stating he “privatized the armed forces via the Presidential Security Service,” and both prosecution and defense receive a seven‑day window to appeal [15][16].

Jan 21 2026 – Former prime minister Han Duck‑soo is sentenced to 23 years for rebellion, the court finding he falsified the martial‑law proclamation and gave procedural legitimacy to the decree [5][11][12][13].

Jan 22 2026 – The court upholds a 23‑year rebellion conviction for Han Duck‑soo, noting the ruling will likely influence upcoming verdicts against Yoon and other aides [5].

Feb 19 2026 – Yoon Suk Yeol is sentenced to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection; Judge Jee Kui‑youn says his decree “aimed to paralyze the National Assembly,” while former defence minister Kim Yong‑hyun receives 30 years and Han Duck‑soo 23 years [4][6][7][8][9][10].

Feb 19 2026 (future) – Yoon’s legal team announces plans to appeal the life‑sentence ruling, invoking procedural flaws and contesting the characterization of the decree as an insurrection [4].

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