SEOUL — The Seoul Central District Court sentenced former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison Thursday.<\/p>\n
The court found him guilty of leading an insurrection linked to his declaration of martial law<\/a> on Dec. 3, 2024.<\/p>\n The court ruled that Yoon’s central offense was mobilizing military and police forces to seize control of the National Assembly and detain key political figures.<\/p>\n “The deployment of martial law troops to the National Assembly during the state of emergency constitutes ‘rioting,’ a key legal element required to establish the crime of insurrection,” presiding judge Ji Gui-yeon said Thursday. Ji said declaring martial law can constitute insurrection if intended to obstruct or paralyze constitutional institutions.<\/p>\n The court acknowledged political tensions between Yoon’s administration and the opposition-controlled legislature. However, it said those circumstances did not justify declaring martial law under the constitution.<\/p>\n Judges also said Yoon showed no remorse or acknowledgment of wrongdoing during the proceedings, which they considered in determining his sentence.<\/p>\n Yoon’s attorneys criticized the ruling as “a mere formality for a predetermined conclusion.”<\/p>\n Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally outside of Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. A sign reads “Not Guilty.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ahn Young-joon\/AP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Watching the rule of law collapse in reality, I question whether I should even pursue an appeal or continue participating in these criminal proceedings,” Yoon’s attorney, Yoon Gab-geun, told reporters after the ruling. “The truth will be revealed in the court of history.”<\/p>\n Yoon was taken into custody immediately after the ruling and transferred to the Seoul Detention Center. He will remain there unless the court grants release pending appeal.<\/p>\n If Yoon appeals, the case will move to the Seoul High Court, which can review legal interpretations and factual findings. A final appeal could be filed with the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n Prosecutors had sought the death penalty<\/a>, arguing Yoon’s actions posed a grave threat to the constitutional order.<\/p>\n Thursday’s ruling addressed only the insurrection charge. Other criminal cases tied to the December 2024 martial law declaration, including abuse of power and obstruction of official duty, remain pending.<\/p>\n![\"PHOTO:](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/0c4f8e04-4249-47b7-86ce-6fa2965eb69c\/yoon-life-in-prison_1771499445496_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"Ahn")
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