The Seoul Central District Court on February 19, 2026, sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection through his failed December 3, 2024, martial law declaration. This first ruling deemed the bid an attempt to paralyze the National Assembly, opting for life over the death penalty sought by prosecutors due to incomplete planning and limited force.
On February 19, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court convicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol of leading an insurrection by deploying troops to seal off and paralyze the National Assembly during his December 3, 2024, martial law declaration. Presiding Judge Jee Kui-youn noted it was 'difficult to deny' Yoon's aim to prevent the legislature from functioning and arrest key politicians. While special prosecutors sought the death penalty, the court imposed life imprisonment, considering the plan's incompleteness, limited physical force, Yoon's age (65), and clean prior record.
Co-defendants received lesser sentences: former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun (30 years), former National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho (12 years), and former Seoul police chief Kim Bong-sik (10 years). Yoon's team decried the ruling as a 'formality' and plans to appeal.
The verdict dominated South Korean media, with the Kyunghyang Shinmun calling Yoon the 'insurrection leader' sentenced for 'subverting the Constitution'; the Donga Ilbo, Chosun Ilbo, Korea Herald, and Korea Times headlined the life sentence similarly. Yonhap News highlighted it as the first verdict recognizing the martial law bid as constitutional subversion.
Post-ruling, Yoon supporters (about 1,000) rallied outside the National Assembly, contained by police. People Power Party leaders split: floor leader Rep. Song Eon-seok pledged to defend constitutional order, while leader Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok stressed presumption of innocence. On February 20, Yoon apologized: 'I deeply apologize to the people for making you experience much despair.' National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik urged repentance. The decision underscores South Korea's democratic resilience amid political divides.
