Former South Korean President Yoon faces verdict on rebellion charges
SEOUL, South Korea — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in a Seoul court on Thursday for a verdict on charges of rebellion related to his brief attempt to enforce martial law.
The ousted leader sparked a major political crisis in the country by declaring martial law and surrounding the legislature with troops on Dec. 3, 2024, leading to the most serious charge of rebellion.
A special prosecutor has called for the death penalty for Yoon, citing the threat his actions posed to democracy. However, many analysts anticipate a life sentence due to the lack of casualties resulting from Yoon’s actions.
The verdict and sentence were expected to be delivered by Seoul Central District Court Judge Jee Kui-youn on Thursday.
Supporters and critics of Yoon gathered outside the court, with police closely monitoring the situation. The court also plans to rule on the cases of seven former military and police officials involved in enforcing Yoon’s martial law decree.
Yoon defended his actions as necessary to counter liberal forces he viewed as a threat to the state. The martial law decree was lifted after lawmakers managed to convene and vote against it.
Yoon was impeached and removed from office in 2024, and has been under arrest since July, facing multiple criminal trials. He was recently sentenced to five years in prison for various offenses related to the martial law incident.
The court has also convicted two of Yoon’s Cabinet members, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, for their roles in attempting to legitimize the martial law decree.
