INTERNATIONAL — February 20, 2026
South Korean Court Sentences Former President Yoon Suk Yeol to Life Imprisonment for Martial Law Declaration
A Seoul court sentenced former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison for his 2024 martial law declaration, ruled as insurrection by the court. The move led to his impeachment after lawmakers voted it down.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Khaama Press — 2 min read
A South Korean court in Seoul sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment on Thursday for declaring martial law in December 2024.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the court ruled that the declaration amounted to insurrection. Yoon had deployed troops to the National Assembly in an attempt to paralyze parliament. The hearing was attended by the former president and broadcast live on state television.
Yoon announced the martial law declaration in a surprise televised address and ordered the military to take control of the parliament building. Lawmakers pushed past soldiers and police, climbed over walls to enter the chamber and voted to reject the measure, forcing Yoon to revoke the order hours later.
The failed attempt triggered a political crisis, leading to Yoon's impeachment and removal from office. Prosecutors argued that the actions undermined constitutional order and democratic institutions, resulting in criminal charges and the trial.
The sentencing follows Yoon's short-lived martial law bid, which parliament swiftly overturned.
Read the original reporting at Khaama Press →
Reliability assessment
Single source (Khaama Press citing Yonhap News Agency) provides direct attribution with concrete, checkable details: specific court location (Seoul), date (Thursday), events (troop deployment, live broadcast, December 2024 declaration), and not high-stakes for verification stability.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. "The life sentence marks a dramatic fall for Yoon" (emotional framing with 'dramatic fall'); "highlights South Korea’s commitment to holding leaders accountable under the rule of law" (advocacy phrasing presenting interpretive judgment as fact).
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Khaama Press
Originating
Filed under
International — South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, martial law, Seoul court, Yonhap News Agency
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