Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to life over failed martial law bid

Delivering the verdict, Judge Jee Kui-youn said Yoon unlawfully mobilised military and police forces in an attempt to seize control of the liberal-led National Assembly, detain political opponents and establish unchecked authority for a “considerable” period.

Judges cite 'illegal use' of force

The court found that Yoon’s actions had no constitutional basis and directly undermined democratic governance in South Korea.

Prosecutors argued that the former president’s use of armed forces to block lawmakers constituted a direct assault on the constitutional order.

While a special prosecutor had sought the death penalty, citing the gravity of the threat posed to democracy, the court stopped short of capital punishment.

Legal analysts noted that the poorly executed power grab resulted in no fatalities, making a life sentence the more likely outcome.

South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997, a long-standing practice widely regarded as an unofficial moratorium on the death penalty.

Courtroom tensions and street protests

Heavy security surrounded the judicial complex as Yoon was brought to court, with hundreds of police deployed to monitor rival demonstrations.

His supporters gathered outside, chanting slogans in his defence, while critics assembled nearby, calling for the harshest possible punishment as the prison vehicle transporting him passed.

Senior officials also convicted

The court also handed down lengthy prison terms to several former military and police officials involved in enforcing the martial law decree.

Former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun received a 30-year sentence for his central role in planning the operation and mobilising troops.

Judges said the involvement of senior security officials demonstrated the seriousness of the attempted takeover and the extent of institutional misuse.

Yoon defends decree as political necessity

A staunch conservative, Yoon has consistently defended his decision, claiming the extraordinary measure was needed to counter what he described as “anti-state” liberal forces obstructing his agenda through their parliamentary majority.

The decree, however, lasted just six hours. Lawmakers eventually breached a military blockade, assembled a quorum and unanimously voted to revoke martial law, restoring civilian rule.

Impeachment and removal from office

Yoon was suspended from office on December 14, 2024, after lawmakers voted to impeach him.

He was formally removed in April 2025 after the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment.

He has remained in custody since July while facing multiple criminal proceedings, with the rebellion charge carrying the most severe penalty.

Previous convictions add to sentence

Last month, Yoon was separately sentenced to five years in prison for resisting arrest, fabricating the martial law proclamation and bypassing a legally required full Cabinet meeting before issuing the decree.

The Seoul Central Court has also convicted other senior figures from Yoon’s administration.

Among them was former prime minister Han Duck-soo, who received a 23-year sentence for attempting to legitimise the decree through a forced Cabinet Council meeting, falsifying official records and lying under oath.

Han has since appealed the ruling, while Yoon is widely expected to challenge the life sentence.