Post by : Shakul

A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection through his declaration of martial law in 2024. The verdict was delivered by the Seoul Central District Court, marking one of the most dramatic moments in the country’s modern political history.

The court ruled that Yoon abused his presidential powers when he abruptly announced martial law in a televised address in December 2024, claiming the move was necessary to eliminate “anti-state forces” in the National Assembly. Judges said the decision was intended to paralyse the legislature and silence political opposition.

Presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon stated that the martial law declaration caused enormous social and political damage and noted that Yoon showed no clear signs of remorse. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but due to South Korea’s long-standing moratorium on executions, a life sentence effectively ensures Yoon will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Following the verdict, heavy police deployment was seen outside the courthouse as thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathered, some protesting the decision. Authorities erected barricades to prevent unrest. The case has revived painful memories of past military rule in South Korea, which experienced several coups between the 1960s and 1980s.

Yoon has denied all charges, insisting his actions were meant to protect constitutional order. However, the court concluded that his actions amounted to an attempt to seize power unlawfully. The ruling is being seen as a defining test of South Korea’s democratic institutions and the rule of law.

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