Reviewed by Gotrade Internal Analyst
Gotrade News - A South Korean court has officially sentenced former President Yoon Suk-yeol to life in prison for leading an insurrection. The ruling on Thursday (Feb 19) cements the consequences of his unconstitutional move to mobilize the military and blockade parliament in December 2024.
Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon didn't mince words, stating Yoon’s actions checked all the boxes for "insurrection leadership" aimed at destroying the constitutional order. The verdict underscores that Yoon abused his power as commander-in-chief for personal political gain, crossing a line that no democracy can ignore.
Key Takeaways:
Yoon was found guilty of leading an insurrection by sending armed troops to storm the National Assembly.
His primary goal was to paralyze the legislature and arrest key political rivals to consolidate power.
The judge cited Yoon's total lack of remorse during the trial as a major factor for the maximum sentence.
Military vs. Parliament
The court zeroed in on the core fact that Yoon ordered military forces to breach the National Assembly building on the night of December 3, 2024. According to Al Jazeera, the judge ruled this wasn't just a martial law declaration; it was a forcible attempt to neutralize the parliament's oversight function.
Yoon deployed helicopters and fully armed soldiers to blockade the assembly hall. CNN reported that this triggered physical chaos, forcing lawmakers to smash through police barricades just to get inside and vote down the decree.
Targeting Political Rivals
Trial evidence revealed the specific intent behind the mobilization: arresting key figures, including the opposition leader and even the head of Yoon’s own party. The Guardian noted that the judge saw this as a systematic effort to stop elected representatives from casting their votes.
Beyond rounding up politicians, Yoon also plotted to seize control of the election commission. The court slammed this as a "severe destruction of the constitutional order" that went completely beyond presidential authority.
Zero Remorse Shown
A massive factor in the life sentence was Yoon’s attitude—he showed absolutely no remorse. Citing The Guardian, the court highlighted his refusal to attend hearings and his insistence that he was merely "exercising constitutional authority."
The judge ruled that Yoon failed to grasp the massive damage he caused to the political neutrality of the military and police. His stance was seen as a total denial of the social costs the South Korean public had to pay for his political gambling.
Dodging the Death Penalty
Prosecutors had actually pushed for the death penalty, arguing Yoon’s actions threatened the nation's very existence. However, the judge opted for life imprisonment because the coup planning was deemed "not meticulous enough" and ultimately failed within six hours.
The Guardian added that the court took into account that Yoon still attempted to limit the use of lethal force. Still, this life sentence stands as the harshest punishment ever handed to a former president in South Korea’s democratic history.
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Reference:
Al Jazeera, South Korea’s ex-President Yoon gets life in prison for insurrection. Accessed on February 19, 2026
The Guardian, South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for life for leading insurrection. Accessed on February 19, 2026
CNN, Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol handed life sentence for leading insurrection. Accessed on February 19, 2026
Featured Image: Britannica
