South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk‑yeol has been sentenced to life in prison after a court found him guilty of leading an insurrection tied to his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024. The ruling marks one of the most severe punishments ever handed down to a former leader in South Korea’s democratic history. Judges concluded that Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law including mobilising military and police forces around the National Assembly amounted to a direct challenge to the constitutional order. The declaration meant to override legislative opposition lasted only a few hours before lawmakers successfully overturned it. Critics say Yoon’s actions threatened democratic institutions by blocking elected representatives and seeking to consolidate unchecked power. Prosecutors had even sought the death penalty in the case but the court opted for life imprisonment reflecting the gravity of the offence without resorting to capital punishment. Several senior officials involved in the martial law attempt were also convicted with one former defence minister receiving decades behind bars for his role in planning and executing the measures. Yoon has denied wrongdoing arguing his actions were within presidential authority and aimed at stabilising the nation amid political strife. His legal team says it will consider an appeal. The verdict closes a dramatic chapter in South Korean politics and reaffirms the principle that no leader is above the rule of law.
