Overview
- Seoul’s Central District Court ruled that Yoon ordered troops to constrain the National Assembly, sought to paralyze it for a significant period, and showed little remorse.
- The judge found the legal elements of leading an uprising proven but rejected claims that Yoon had orchestrated a long-term permanent dictatorship.
- Co-defendants received heavy terms, including 30 years for ex-defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, 18 years for intelligence officer Roh Sang-won, and 12 years for police chief Cho Ji-ho.
- Prosecutors had requested the death penalty, yet South Korea has not carried out executions since the late 1990s due to a de facto moratorium.
- A day after the verdict Yoon apologized for causing public hardship while casting himself as a political victim, and he can appeal as he also carries a separate five-year sentence for obstructing justice.