• Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection.
• The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of his December 2024 martial law declaration.
• Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, citing the threat posed to democracy.
• Yoon's declaration of martial law lasted approximately six hours before being rescinded.
• Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun also received a significant prison sentence for his involvement.

A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after convicting him of leading an insurrection tied to his declaration of martial law in December 2024. The Seoul Central District Court determined that Yoon, along with other officials, acted illegally in attempting to seize control of the National Assembly, which culminated in significant political fallout and protests across the country, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The court found that Yoon’s actions constituted a serious breach of the constitution, asserting that his martial law declaration resulted in "enormous social costs" and demonstrated a lack of remorse, as noted by presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon. Yoon's defense argued his declaration was legitimate and aimed at maintaining order, but the court clearly rejected this narrative, instead labeling it a "deliberate plot" against democracy, as reported by Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

Prosecutors had initially sought the death penalty for Yoon, stressing that his attempted coup represented a significant danger to South Korean democracy. However, the court ultimately issued a life sentence, reflecting the country's de facto moratorium on capital punishment, as maintained since 1997. Yoon’s declaration of martial law was lifted approximately six hours after it began, following a dramatic response from citizens who surrounded the National Assembly, according to NPR and CBS News.

In addition to Yoon, several other officials involved in the martial law declaration faced severe penalties. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the attempt, while public protests and reactions continued to unfold in light of the court's decision. The verdict represents not just a legal outcome but a reaffirmation of South Korea's dedication to democratic principles, as highlighted by the public's swift and organized resistance to Yoon’s actions, according to India Times and AA.

The repercussions of this trial extend beyond Yoon's individual case, sparking a nationwide discourse on the resilience of South Korean democracy. The court's judgment is seen as a crucial affirmation against any potential regressions into authoritarianism, reinforcing the idea that attempts to undermine democratic structures will not be tolerated, according to Le Monde and NPR.