South Korean presidents are no strangers to prison. Another was sentenced to life yesterday for leading an insurrection

The Greek Courier

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2024 Martial Law Declaration

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after a Seoul court found him guilty of leading an insurrection stemming from his brief and "baffling" imposition of martial law in December 2024. [1] The ruling marks a dramatic culmination of South Korea’s most severe political crisis in decades. [2]

Judge Jee Kui-youn of the Seoul Central District Court convicted the 65-year-old conservative leader of rebellion for mobilizing military and police forces in an illegal attempt to seize the liberal-led National Assembly, arrest political opponents, and establish unchecked power for a "considerable" time. [3]

Yoon was ousted from office after declaring martial law on December 3, 2024. 

The decree, which lasted approximately six hours before lawmakers managed to convene and vote to lift it, included sweeping powers such as suspending political activities and controlling the media. [3] Yoon had been suspended on December 14, 2024, impeached by lawmakers, and formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. He has been under arrest since July 2025. [3]

A Precedent of Turmoil: The Perilous South Korean Presidency

The conviction places Yoon in a somber historical context, highlighting the precarious nature of the South Korean presidency, where leaders frequently face legal repercussions after leaving office. [4][5]

The court’s decision to impose a life sentence—the most severe punishment practically enforced in the nation due to a long-standing moratorium on capital punishment—draws a parallel to former military dictator Chun Doo-hwan, who also received a life sentence for his role in the 1979 coup and the 1980 Gwangju crackdown. [1][3]

History of Presidential Legal Troubles:

Since South Korea transitioned to democracy in 1987, a significant number of former presidents have faced criminal investigations, arrests, and imprisonment, often on charges of corruption or political misconduct. [2][5]

Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo (left): Both military rulers were convicted in 1996 of treason related to their 1979 coup and the subsequent violent suppression of the Gwangju uprising. Chun received a death sentence (later commuted to life), and Roh received a lengthy term; both were later granted special pardons in 1997. [2][4]

Park Geun-hye (right): The first female president was impeached and removed in 2017, later sentenced to 20 years for corruption and abuse of power, though she was pardoned in late 2021. [2][6]

Lee Myung-bak (left): Yoon’s conservative predecessor was sentenced to 15 years in 2018 for corruption and bribery, but he received a presidential pardon from Yoon in December 2022. [2][6]

Roh Moo-hyun (right): This president (2003-2008) tragically died by suicide in 2009 while under investigation for bribery allegations involving his family. [6][7]

Analysts suggest this cycle is a testament to the strength of South Korea’s independent judiciary and rule of law, proving no one is above the law, while others view it as evidence of deep political polarization and potential political revenge. [8][9]

Defense and Fallout

Yoon’s defense team, led by Yoon Kap-keun, rejected the conviction, accusing the judge of issuing a "predetermined verdict" and claiming the "rule of law" had collapsed. [3] The former president maintained that the martial law decree was intended only to raise public awareness about the opposition paralyzing state affairs. [3]

Prosecutors successfully argued that Yoon’s actions—specifically deploying troops to the National Assembly—exceeded his constitutional authority and demonstrated an intent to disable the legislature. [3] Judge Jee stated that the deployment to block the Assembly and arrest key figures was central to the finding of rebellion. [3]

The court also convicted and sentenced five former military and police officials involved in enforcing the decree. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun (above) received a 30-year jail term for his role in planning the measure and ordering the arrest of 14 key politicians, including the National Assembly speaker and current President Lee Jae Myung. [3][8] 

Separately, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (above) received a 23-year sentence for attempting to legitimize the decree through a Cabinet meeting. [3]

Outside the court, supporters of the former president rallied, holding signs proclaiming "Not Guilty," while critics gathered nearby demanding the death penalty. [3] The special prosecutor had sought the death penalty, but analysts generally expected a life sentence given the brief nature of the power grab and lack of casualties. [3]

Jung Chung-rae, leader of the liberal Democratic Party that led the impeachment effort, expressed regret that the court did not impose the death penalty, calling the ruling a "lack of a sense of justice." [3] Conversely, Song Eon-seok, floor leader of Yoon's former conservative People Power Party, issued a public apology, stating the party feels a "deep sense of responsibility" for the national disruption. [3] The office of current President Lee Jae Myung has not yet commented on the ruling. [3]

Sources:

1. What Yoon Suk Yeol's Life Sentence Means for South Korea's Democracy
2. From Roh to Yoon: History of Korea's arrested presidents
3. Current time information in KR.
4. Jail, disgrace and death: The dark fates of South Korean leaders - The Japan Times
5. Exiled, shot, impeached, jailed: A history of South Korean presidents - The Washington Post
6. The troubled history of South Korean presidents - VOA
7. The troubled history of South Korean presidents - YouTube
8. S. Korea's Yoon Prolongs Cycle of Convicted Presidents - Asia Sentinel
9. Why South Korea keeps jailing its former leaders - Asia Specific podcast, BBC World Service

South Korea Prisons are familiar to ex-Presidents. Another Was Sentenced to Life Yesterday for Leading an Insurrection.