The Seoul Central District Court sentenced the former President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, to life imprisonment on Thursday. The judges determined that he was guilty of inciting an uprising linked to his proclamation of martial law on December 3, 2024.
The court ruled that Yoon's primary crime involved the use of military and police personnel to take over the National Assembly and apprehend significant political individuals.
"The deployment of military law enforcement at the National Assembly amid an emergency situation is classified as 'rioting,' which is a crucial legal factor to establish the offense of rebellion," stated Chief Judge Ji Gui-yeon during the hearing on Thursday.
Ji mentioned that a declaration of martial law could be seen as insurrection if its intent was to disrupt or hinder constitutional bodies. The court recognized the political strife between Yoon's government and the opposition-led assembly. Nonetheless, it stated that such conditions did not warrant the declaration of martial law as per constitutional guidelines.
The judges also observed that Yoon expressed no regret or recognition of any wrongdoing throughout the trial, which influenced their decision regarding his punishment.
Yoon's legal representatives condemned the verdict as "a simple formality leading to a foregone conclusion."
“Witnessing the breakdown of the rule of law, I question whether I should even continue to appeal or engage in these criminal proceedings,” stated Yoon's lawyer, Yoon Gab-geun, to the media after the judgment. "The truth will ultimately come to light in the annals of history."
Yoon was taken into custody immediately following the judgment and moved to the Seoul Detention Center, where he will remain until the court decides on his potential release pending an appeal. Should Yoon decide to appeal, the matter will be transferred to the Seoul High Court, which has the authority to reevaluate legal interpretations and factual findings.
A subsequent appeal could be brought before the Supreme Court. Prosecutors had requested the death penalty, claiming that Yoon's actions represented a serious threat to the constitutional framework. Thursday's judgment focused solely on the insurrection accusation.
Additional legal matters related to the martial law announcement in December 2024, such as power abuse and obstructing official duties, are still unresolved. In a different case last month,
Yoon received a five-year prison sentence for hampering his arrest, marking his first criminal conviction connected to the ongoing crisis. "Yoon's sentencing does not signify a national release, as most South Koreans have already emotionally distanced themselves from the former leader,"
remarked Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, to ABC News. "Additionally, this televised verdict does not signify closure, as many cases and appeals related to Yoon's martial law controversy are still pending full resolution."
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