A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment with labour, marking a historic verdict as he becomes the first elected head of state in South Korea's democratic history to receive such a severe punishment. The court found him guilty of leading an insurrection, stemming from his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024, wherein he mobilized military forces to encircle parliament and attempted to detain political adversaries.

Prosecutors had aimed for the death penalty, arguing that Yoon's actions represented a significant threat to the constitutional order in South Korea. They asserted that his mobilization of troops and aggressive tactics during a six-hour crisis were calculated moves intended to undermine the functioning of democracy. Despite the serious charges, Yoon steadfastly maintained his innocence, framing the entire investigation as a politically motivated scheme against him, targeting his efforts to counter perceived governmental abuse by opposition forces.

This landmark ruling highlights the challenges confronted by South Korea’s democratic institutions in preserving constitutional stability. Yoon's insurrection conviction sends a strong message regarding the boundaries of executive power and political accountability. The outcome signals a cautious approach by the judiciary in dealing with high-profile political figures, emphasizing that actions seen as unconstitutional will be met with severe consequences, regardless of political status.