Overview
- The Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Ji Gwi-yeon, ruled that Yoon directed an insurrection and imposed a life sentence.
- Prosecutors had sought capital punishment, a penalty not carried out in South Korea since 1997.
- On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law on television and deployed the military to seal the legislature, a six-hour suspension of civilian rule that lawmakers ultimately thwarted.
- Co-defendants received heavy terms, including 30 years for ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, 23 for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, 12 for ex-police chief Cho Ji-ho, and 7 for former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.
- Thousands rallied outside the courthouse as the televised verdict aired, while Yoon remained in detention with other cases pending and his lawyers weighing an appeal.