Overview
- Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but the three-judge panel imposed life imprisonment, and Yoon’s lawyers said they will consider an appeal.
- Former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun received a 30-year term, while senior police officials also drew prison sentences in the same case.
- Judges said Yoon personally planned the operation, caused enormous social costs, and showed little remorse, while noting limited use of force and his age as mitigating factors.
- The decree lasted about six hours before lawmakers voted to overturn it, a crisis that led to Yoon’s impeachment, removal from office, detention, and multiple ongoing trials.
- The ruling, broadcast live nationwide, makes Yoon the first former president convicted of insurrection since 1996, as prior Cabinet convictions include Han Duck-soo (23 years) and Lee Sang-min (7 years).