The South Korean court has sentenced former president Jun Sok-yol to life imprisonment for his declaration of martial law in December 2024, which was interpreted as an act of insurrection. This verdict came after the special prosecution initially sought the death penalty for Jun, who was also found guilty of abuse of power and sending the military to parliament to prevent lawmakers from voting on a resolution to end the state of emergency. Additionally, former defense minister Kim Jong-hyon received a 30-year prison sentence for his involvement in the insurrection.

During the court proceedings, the presiding judge highlighted Jun's actions as serious offenses that posed a threat to the democratic process, stating that they undermined the rule of law in South Korea. Jun's lawyer expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment, suggesting that it was predetermined and lacked sufficient evidence. Furthermore, it was noted that Jun had intended to arrest prominent political figures, including the current president, Lee Jae-myung, who was the leader of the opposition Democratic Party at the time of the incident.

The implications of this ruling extend into South Korea's political landscape, raising alarms about the state of democracy and rule of law in the country. This case reflects ongoing tensions in South Korea's political system, especially regarding the checks and balances necessary to prevent abuses of power. It is expected that Jun and his legal team will discuss the possibility of an appeal, potentially prolonging the legal battle surrounding this controversial case.