The Seoul court has sentenced Yoon Suk-yeol to life imprisonment for leading a rebellion aimed at declaring martial law and deploying military forces to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from gathering. This judgment comes as a more lenient penalty than the death sentence that prosecutors sought for such charges. The significant legal decision was made 14 months after the attempted coup that occurred on December 3, 2024.

Yoon Suk-yeol's justification for the rebellion stemmed from perceived threats from North Korea, compounded by domestic anti-state forces allegedly aligned with Pyongyang. He stated that these threats necessitated a declaration of martial law. However, his martial law was short-lived, lasting only a few hours, during which 190 members of the National Assembly gathered and unanimously voted to rescind the decree, undermining Yoon's attempts to secure power through military force.

This case highlights ongoing tensions in South Korea regarding political authority and military involvement in governance. The life sentence could set a precedent for how severe political misconduct is legally addressed, reflecting broader implications for rule of law and civil liberties in South Korea as the nation navigates its complex relationship with North Korea and internal political dynamics.