Former South Korean President Given Life Sentence
A Seoul court sentenced Yoon Suk Yeol to life for leading an insurrection after his Dec. 3, 2024 martial law decree, the court ruled on February 19, 2026.
Overview
A Seoul court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison for leading an insurrection, the court ruled on February 19, 2026.
Yoon declared martial law during a televised address on December 3, 2024 and ordered soldiers to surround the National Assembly, but lawmakers voted to lift the decree after roughly six hours.
Citizens, lawmakers and some troops resisted the decree, and Yoon maintained his innocence while his legal team said it would appeal the verdict.
Former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to 30 years, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years, and four other security leaders drew sentences of three to 18 years.
Yoon retains the right to appeal and faces multiple other criminal trials, and the verdict follows deep political divisions stemming from the December 2024 crisis.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this reporting neutrally: they report charges and actions with factual language, provide legal and historical context, and attribute contested claims to sources (e.g., Yoon supporters' 'leftist forces' quote). Editorial choices avoid evaluative adjectives and balance state allegations with supporters' explanations.
Sources (5)
FAQ
Yoon declared martial law citing threats from North Korean communist forces and pro-North, anti-state elements within South Korea, amid frustration with opposition Democratic Party obstruction of his policies, budget cuts, and impeachment proceedings.
Lawmakers from the National Assembly, including 190 members with some from Yoon's own party, convened an emergency session early on December 4, 2024, and unanimously voted to reject and lift the decree after about six hours.
Former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun received 30 years, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo got 23 years, and four other security leaders were sentenced to 3 to 18 years.
Yoon maintains his innocence, his legal team plans to appeal the life sentence, and he faces multiple other criminal trials.
History
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