Yoon Sentenced
Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to life in prison
Yoon Suk Yeol / Seoul, South Korea / Seoul Central District Court /

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Last Updated
2/21/2026
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163
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The Breakdown 72

  • Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life in prison for insurrection, a dramatic consequence of his declaration of martial law during a political crisis in December 2024.
  • His unprecedented move, which sought to suppress opposition by surrounding the National Assembly with military troops, was deemed a direct threat to the nation’s democratic framework.
  • The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of rebellion, pointing to the fundamental damage his actions inflicted on South Korea's democracy.
  • Despite prosecutors seeking the death penalty, the court's decision for life imprisonment marks a significant historical moment in the country’s political landscape.
  • Yoon's legal team criticized the verdict, claiming a lack of solid evidence, and expressed intentions to appeal in a highly publicized case that encapsulates political strife in South Korea.
  • The fallout from Yoon's insurrection case not only reflects deep divisions within the nation’s politics but also highlights the ongoing scrutiny and accountability of leaders in a tumultuous era for South Korean governance.

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Yoon Suk Yeol / Kim Yong-hyun / Seoul, South Korea / Seoul Central District Court /

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