South Korea’s Former President Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Insurrection Over 2024 Martial Law Decree

Seoul, South Korea/ New Delhi: Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment on February 19, 2026, after the Seoul Central District Court found him guilty of leading an insurrection over his declaration of martial law in December 2024. The ruling marks one of the most serious criminal convictions ever handed to a democratically elected leader in South Korea.

The court found that on December 3, 2024, Yoon declared emergency martial law and ordered military and police forces to move toward and surround the National Assembly in Seoul. Prosecutors said the deployment was intended to block lawmakers from entering the chamber and to prevent a vote that could overturn his decree. According to court findings, troops and police officers were instructed to secure the building and restrict access as part of the enforcement of martial law.

Despite the security presence, 190 lawmakers gathered inside the National Assembly and unanimously passed a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law. Under South Korea’s Constitution, the president must comply if the Assembly votes to revoke such a declaration. The decree was withdrawn within hours.

On December 14, 2024, the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon, suspending his presidential powers. The case was then referred to the Constitutional Court. In April 2025, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment in a unanimous decision, formally removing him from office.

Criminal investigations followed. Prosecutors charged Yoon with leading an insurrection, abuse of power and related offenses. During the trial, the prosecution argued that the martial law declaration and the deployment of armed forces were intended to undermine the constitutional order and obstruct the functioning of the legislature. They sought the death penalty. Yoon denied wrongdoing and argued that the declaration of martial law was within his constitutional authority.

In its February 19, 2026 verdict, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the actions constituted insurrection under South Korean criminal law. The court imposed a life sentence instead of capital punishment. Yoon’s legal team indicated that they would appeal the decision.

Several former officials were also convicted in related proceedings. Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in planning and executing the martial law measures. Other senior military and police officials received prison terms for their involvement.

Large crowds gathered outside the court on the day of the verdict, with both supporters and critics present as the sentence was announced. The ruling concludes one of the most significant political and legal crises in South Korea since the country’s transition to democratic rule.