Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon told the court on Thursday that the declaration of martial law had resulted in significant social costs and that there was little evidence the defendant had shown remorse.
“As to defendant Yoon Suk-yeol, the crime of insurrection leadership is established,” the judge said, announcing the life sentence.
The Seoul Central District Court determined that Yoon led the December 3, 2024 insurrection. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty in the case against the former president, who was impeached and removed from office following his martial law declaration.
According to Yonhap, the court concluded that a key element of the case was Yoon’s decision to deploy the military to the National Assembly in December 2024.
The court also found that Yoon intended to block and paralyse the National Assembly’s operations for a considerable period. However, it rejected the special prosecutor’s allegation that he had planned to establish a prolonged dictatorship.
Yoon, 65, consistently denied wrongdoing during the proceedings. He argued that he had the constitutional authority as president to declare martial law and maintained that the move was intended to stop opposition parties from obstructing government functions.
