Seoul: Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s deposed former president, was sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection as he attempted to impose martial law on a night in December 2024. His impeachment echoes the case of former President Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office in 2017 following her impeachment.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Seoul court’s ruling addressed the most serious charge against Yoon, who is still facing six more trials. He is expected to appeal the decision related to his martial law declaration 14 months ago. The timeline of events leading up to this point begins on December 3, 2024, when Yoon declared martial law during a late-night televised address. He accused the Democratic Party of Korea of anti-state activities and alleged collaboration with North Korea.
Later that night, 190 lawmakers rushed to parliament and unanimously voted to lift the martial law. Despite attempts by armed troops and helicopters to block their entry into the National Assembly building, the martial order was revoked within six hours. On December 7, Yoon issued a public apology, claiming his actions were meant to protect the state and root out anti-state forces, although he provided no evidence.
Parliament impeached Yoon on December 14, suspending him from office, while former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was arrested for his involvement and later attempted suicide. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, acting as president, was impeached on December 27. Yoon was arrested on January 15, 2025, despite initial resistance, and was indicted on January 26 for leading an insurrection.
The Constitutional Court of Korea reinstated Han Duck-soo as acting president on March 24, 2025, after overturning his impeachment. Yoon’s impeachment was upheld on April 4, formally removing him from office and triggering a snap presidential election. Lee Jae Myung of the Democratic Party won the presidential election on June 3, achieving a landslide victory and a parliamentary majority.
In 2026, Yoon faced further legal challenges. On January 16, he was sentenced to five years in prison for obstructing investigators’ attempts to arrest him. The Seoul Central District Court found him guilty of insurrection on February 19, sentencing him to life in prison, while his defense chief, Kim Yong-hyun, received a 30-year sentence.