Former South Korean President Yoon Seok-youl's legal team announced on the 24th that they have filed an appeal against the life sentence issued by the Seoul Central District Court. Yoon was convicted of inciting insurrection related to a controversial martial law enacted in December 2024, with the court ruling stating that he had intended to disrupt the functions of the National Assembly by deploying military forces, which constituted a valid case of insurrection. In their appeal, Yoon's attorneys argue that the court made factual errors and misunderstandings regarding legal principles in the first-instance ruling.

In a public statement the day following the court's ruling, Yoon criticized the judgment, asserting that the reasoning — that merely sending military troops to the National Assembly constitutes insurrection — is difficult to accept. His defense position emphasizes the possible misinterpretation of his actions and their context, questioning the validity of the court's conclusions. The ramifications of this ruling and appeal process are significant, as they may influence public perception of Yoon's presidency and the broader political landscape in South Korea.

According to South Korean media reports, the special prosecutor who sought the death penalty has also indicated a plan to appeal the sentencing, suggesting that there is broader contention around both the conviction and the sentence applied. This case is pivotal for understanding the limits of executive power in South Korea, especially regarding military interventions and the judiciary's role in maintaining checks and balances against potential abuses of power by political leaders.