South Korea's Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
In a landmark ruling that underscores South Korea's commitment to democratic accountability, former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after being found guilty of masterminding an insurrection related to his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024. The Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Jee Kui-youn (also referred to as Ji Gwi-yeon in some reports), convicted Yoon of leading the insurrection, ruling that he directly planned and executed an illegal attempt to mobilize military and police forces to seize control of the liberal-led National Assembly, arrest political opponents, and establish unchecked authority. The court described Yoon's actions as a deliberate effort to subvert the constitutional order, causing enormous social and political disruption. "We sentence Yoon to life imprisonment," the judge declared, emphasizing that Yoon "flouted legal procedures and resorted to vi...