Life Imprisonment for Former South Korean President in Rebellion Case

SadaNews - Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for his brief declaration of martial law in late 2024.

Judge Ji Gwi-youn of the Seoul Central Court said, "We sentence Yoon to life imprisonment" for his conviction of leading a rebellion.

Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law in December 2024, claiming that strict measures were necessary to eradicate "anti-state forces."

The 65-year-old conservative and hardliner was later ousted from office, arrested, and faced multiple charges, including rebellion and obstructing justice.

During the trial sessions in January, prosecutors demanded the harshest penalties for the former president in the rebellion case, urging the Seoul Central District Court to impose the death penalty.

South Korea has an unofficial moratorium on the death penalty, having executed its last prisoner in 1997, meaning Yoon may effectively spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Yoon's attempt to impose martial law revived painful memories of military coups between 1960 and 1980 in South Korea, which is now viewed as a symbol of stable democracy in Asia.

Yoon is held in solitary confinement while facing multiple criminal trials.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming he acted "to protect freedom" and restore constitutional order in the face of a "legislative dictatorship" led by the opposition.

Prosecutors accused him of leading a rebellion aimed at maintaining dictatorial rule.

South Korean law punishes the crime of rebellion with either life imprisonment or death.

Yoon appeared on television late on December 3, 2024, to announce the suspension of civilian rule and the imposition of martial law, citing vague threats from North Korean influence and "dangerous anti-state forces."

However, martial law was quickly lifted after lawmakers rushed to parliament for an emergency vote.

Yoon's wife, Kim Keon-hee, was previously sentenced to twenty months in prison on separate charges related to receiving bribes while she was the first lady.