South Korean court hands life term to ex‑President Yoon in insurrection trial
Summary
A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment for abuse of authority and insurrection related to his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.
Key Points
- Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison for abuse of authority and masterminding an insurrection.
- The charges stem from Yoon's attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, which lasted only about six hours before being overturned by protests and parliament.
- Prosecutors sought the death penalty, but the court handed down a life sentence instead; Yoon denies the charges and plans to appeal.
- President Lee Jae Myung praised the Korean people for opposing the martial law attempt and suggested their actions are a historic example of peaceful resistance.
