Seoul: South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday defended his martial law bid in December 2024, after receiving a life sentence a day earlier. “My judgment and decision to declare martial law on Dec. 3 was solely for the country and the people,” he said in a statement shared by his legal team.

According to Anadolu Agency, Yoon expressed remorse, stating, “While it was a decision to save the nation, I deeply apologize to the people for making you experience much despair and suffering due to my shortcomings.” The Seoul Central District Court convicted Yoon of leading an insurrection related to his attempt to impose martial law.

Yoon was sentenced to life for his role as an “insurrection ringleader.” He contested the verdict, arguing, “It is difficult to accept the logic that troops going to the National Assembly amounted to insurrection.” His indictment in January 2025 followed the martial law declaration, which was in effect for approximately six hours before being nullified.

Yoon had justified the martial law as a governance measure to “protect” the state, citing a need to “root out anti-state forces” and accusing the election commission of interference, though he did not provide evidence. This conviction marks Yoon as the first sitting president in South Korean history to be detained and convicted.