South Korea’s ex-president jailed for life for masterminding an insurrection

Feb 19 - Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of rebellion and abuse of authority over his failed 2024 martial law bid.

The Seoul Central Court has also convicted former Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, handing him a 23-year prison sentence for attempting to legitimise the martial law decree by forcing it through a Cabinet Council meeting, falsifying records and lying under oath.

South Korea’s former Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun has been sentenced to 30 years in prison over his role in the failed martial law attempt.

There’s been an angry response here from Yoon’s supporters. Thousands have gathered around the court and they were expecting the former president to be exonerated. But very few people apart from his supporters saw that happening.