A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk-yeol to life in prison after finding him guilty of insurrection for attempting to impose martial law in late 2024. The court, presided over by Judge Jee Kui-youn, described Yoon's actions as an attempt to undermine the constitution by sending military and riot police forces into Parliament in a bid to halt National Assembly proceedings. The implementation of martial law ultimately lasted only six hours, yet it triggered one of the most profound institutional crises in South Korea's democratic history.

The actions taken by Yoon were deemed an unconstitutional overreach, reflecting a severe disruption to democratic values and institutions. The court characterized the situation as one that sought to obstruct constitutional institutions and fundamentally undermine the principles of democracy. Although the prosecution sought the death penalty for Yoon's actions, the court did not impose that penalty, citing a moratorium on capital punishment in South Korea.

This ruling not only captures the political turbulence surrounding Yoon's presidency but also raises broader questions about the stability of democratic institutions in South Korea. With the conviction being a significant moment in the nation's history, it illustrates the judiciary's role in upholding constitutional norms in the face of executive overreach. The political and social implications of this ruling may echo throughout South Korea's political landscape in the years to come.