Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Attempting to Overturn Constitutional Order

Seoul. Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the court after being found guilty of attempting to subvert the constitutional order. The court convicted him of leading an insurrection through martial law declared in 2024.

Judge Ji Gwi-yeon, while delivering the verdict, stated that Yoon engaged in actions to weaken the constitutional system and was responsible for forcibly suppressing parliamentary activities. According to the court, he had ordered the military to take control of certain individuals, including the then-opposition leader and current President Lee Jae-myung.

The verdict concluded that Yoon's objective was to paralyze political activities within the National Assembly. The court noted that the main basis of this case was sending troops to the parliament building after declaring martial law in December 2024. Government prosecutors had claimed that Yoon had planned this move at least a year in advance. However, the judge stated that there was insufficient physical evidence to support that claim.

Following the verdict, Yoon's supporters reacted strongly around the court premises. Thousands of supporters had gathered outside the court, expecting the former president to be acquitted. However, many outside his supporters did not anticipate such a result.

According to legal analysts, Yoon is highly likely to appeal the sentence. He is one of the key political figures sentenced on Thursday. This verdict is being viewed as a significant turning point in South Korea's political history, initiating a new debate regarding military intervention and constitutional limits.