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South Korea: Former President Yoon Sentenced to Life in Prison for Imposing Martial Law

Published February 19, 2026, 09:10
South Korea: Former President Yoon Sentenced to Life in Prison for Imposing Martial Law

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been sentenced to life in prison for rebellion after imposing martial law in 2024. The court ruled that the imposition of martial law was an attempt to establish unchecked power. Yoon attempted to bypass the legislature by declaring martial law and sending troops to surround the parliament. Several former military and police officials were also convicted for their involvement in imposing the martial law. Yoon defended the decree as necessary to counter "anti-state" forces, but the decree lasted only six hours before being lifted. Although South Korea has a de facto moratorium on the death penalty, the prosecutor had requested it be imposed.