• Yoon Suk Yeol is appealing his life sentence for insurrection linked to a 2024 martial law declaration.
• The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Yoon attempted to "paralyse" the National Assembly.
• His legal team criticizes the “excessive indictment” and plans to highlight issues in the court's ruling.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has initiated an appeal against his recent conviction and life sentence for leading an insurrection during his attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment last week, finding him guilty of orchestrating an insurrection intended to "paralyse" the National Assembly.

Yoon's legal representatives stated that they are contesting both the legal reasoning and implications of the ruling, labeling the prosecution's actions as an “overzealous indictment,” and pointing out contradictions in the judgment, as reported by Anadolu Agency and South China Morning Post. In a statement, the legal team emphasized their responsibility to document concerns about the judgment for both court records and historical context.

The court found that Yoon had sent troops to assert control over the National Assembly and silence political opponents amidst a chaotic political environment, contributing to his conviction as an "insurrection ringleader." The court's presiding judge indicated that Yoon’s actions aimed to “paralyse” the assembly for an extended period, details which underscore the severity of the situation, as highlighted by Channel News Asia and Anadolu Agency.