soul – South Korean court sentences former defendant president Yoon Seok-yeol sentenced to life imprisonment February 19thafter being found guilty of masterminding the riots that began in December 2024.
attempt to impose martial law
.
The death penalty was sought in this case.
is being closely watched in a deeply divided country. This was the most significant event yet for the ousted leader, whose bid triggered a national political crisis and tested the resilience of democracy.
Mr. Yun colluded with him. then defense Judge Gee Kui-young told a packed courtroom that Minister Kim Yong-hyun intended to destroy the constitutional order and paralyze the functioning of parliament by sending the military to parliament.
“The court has held that the sending of armed forces to Congress and the use of equipment to attempt arrests are all acts of insurrection,” he said on behalf of the three-judge panel.
On December 3, 2024, Mr. Yun led numerous officials and military personnel to commit criminal acts, and “the imposition of martial law resulted in huge social costs.” has occurred”, Judge Gee said this while sentencing the former leader to life imprisonment.
Yoon, 65, wearing a dark navy suit without a tie, stood ashen-faced as the verdict was read. to In addition to the defendant, seven other defendants were also indicted, including Defense Minister Kim Won and a former senior police official, who is serving a 30-year sentence.
Yun’s legal team plans to discuss with him whether to appeal. Lawyer, Mr. Yoon Kapgun, He said the court’s decision completely ignored the important legal principle of basing findings on evidence.
Kim’s lawyer said the former defense minister “of course will appeal.”
Prosecutors said the team had some “regrets” over the verdict, but declined to say whether they planned to appeal.
Before handing down his sentence, Judge Gee reviewed the long history of treason and rebellion, from the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages to the trial and execution of Charles I of England, who waged war against Parliament.
Under South Korean law, riot leaders face up to the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The country last handed down a death sentence in 2016, but no one has been executed since 1997.
Mr. Yoon denies the charges. The conservative former career prosecutor said he had the presidential power to declare martial law and that his actions were aimed at warning opposition parties from interfering with government.
The expelled former leader is expected to remain detained at the Seoul Detention Center. he can appeal against Following the judgment, we will once again appeal the Supreme Court’s appellate judgment.
Judicial guidelines state that the first trial should be concluded within six months and all proceedings, including appeals, should be concluded within two years, but trials often take longer than that.
Mr. Yoon has held eight trials so far.
Appeal against 5 years imprisonment
passed to He was indicted in a separate case in January on charges including obstructing an arrest attempt by authorities after martial law was declared.
Mr. Yun’s proposal to impose martial law lasted only about six hours before being rejected by Congress, met with massive street protests. shock wave Through Asia’s fourth largest economy, It is a key security ally of the United States and has long been considered one of the world’s most resilient democracies.
Ko Jong-seok, 65, who watched the court’s ruling at Seoul Station, said that the imposition of martial law had deepened divisions in society. “I truly believe that the death sentence should have been imposed so that something like this would not happen again.”
However, hundreds of Yun’s supporters rallied outside the courthouse, demanding his release.
Supporters of former South Korean President Yun Seok-yeol gather near the Seoul Central District Court on February 19.
Photo: AFP
Liberal President Lee Jae-myung posted on X,
He was elected president in a snap general election.
In June, after Yoon’s dismissal, he praised his actions. south Korean people must stop martial law.
“This was possible because it was the Republic of Korea,” Lee said, using the official name of the country whose people will set an example in history.
His post earlier Judgment of February 19th It was attached to a newspaper report that some scholars had.
Recommended Korean citizens as candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize
confronted the military and police to oppose martial law without violence. Reuters