BREAKING: SOUTH KOREAN COURT SENTENCES EX-PRESIDENT YOON SUK YEOL TO LIFE FOR INSURRECTION

February 19, 2026

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Agency Report

A South Korean court on Thursday convicted former president Yoon Suk Yeol of insurrection and sentenced him to life imprisonment over his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024.

Delivering judgment at the Seoul Central District Court, presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon ruled that Yoon’s actions amounted to an attempt to “paralyse” the National Assembly and undermine constitutional order.

Yoon had abruptly declared martial law in a televised national address, claiming that drastic measures were necessary to eliminate what he described as “anti-state forces.”

However, the court found that he subsequently deployed troops to the National Assembly building in a bid to silence political opponents and obstruct legislative functions.

“The Court finds that the intention was to paralyse the assembly for a considerable period,” Judge Ji said during the proceedings.

The judge further noted that the martial law declaration imposed “enormous social costs” on the country and criticised the former president for showing no clear sign of remorse throughout the trial.

“We sentence Yoon to life imprisonment,” Ji declared.

The ruling marks a dramatic fall for the former leader and underscores South Korea’s history of holding ex-presidents accountable through the courts.