A life imprisonment sentence has been awarded to former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol by the Seoul Central District Court for his bid to impose martial law in the country.
On Dec. 3, 2024, Yoon attempted to overcome an opposition-controlled legislature by declaring martial law and sending troops to surround the National Assembly. He was ousted hours later. This martial law imposition was the first of its kind in South Korea in about four decades.
Finding Yoon guilty, Judge Jee Kui-youn of the district court said that the former president was involved in mobilising military and police forces in an illegal attempt to seize the liberal-led assembly, arrest politicians and establish unchecked power for a “considerable” time.
The former President's lawyers have, however, accused the court of issuing a “predetermined verdict” based only on prosecutors' arguments. Yoon Kap-keun, one of the former premier's lawyers, said that the rule of law has collapsed, while maintaining that he would discuss whether to appeal with his client and the legal team.
Prosecutors said it was clear that Yoon was attempting to disable the legislature and prevent lawmakers from lifting the measure through voting. He argues that his actions exceeded his constitutional authority even under martial law.
The former president's lawyer, Yoon Suk Yeol, defended Yoon by saying that the martial law decree was only meant to raise public awareness of how liberals were paralysing state affairs. “Yoon was prepared to respect the lawmakers if they voted against the measure,” he said.
Judge Jee, however, announcing the verdict, said that to send troops to the National Assembly was key to his determination that the imposition of martial law amounted to rebellion.
“The purpose of his (Yoon's) actions was to send troops to the National Assembly, block the Assembly building, and arrest key figures, including the National Assembly speaker and leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties, to prevent lawmakers from gathering to deliberate or vote,” AP quoted Jee as saying, while he announced his verdict.
Outside the court, both Yon's supporters and his critics had gathered for the court proceedings. While his critics were seen demanding a death sentence for him, his supporters kept rallying for him. There were no reports of any major clashes or violence following the verdict.
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