Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment with labour on Thursday after being found guilty of leading an insurrection. The verdict, delivered at the Seoul Central District Court, stems from his failed martial law declaration in December 2024.
While hundreds of Yoon's opponents initially cheered the ruling outside the courthouse, the mood quickly soured. Many expressed disappointment and anger, arguing that the punishment was too lenient. Some critics described the life sentence as a 'failure' of justice, demanding the death penalty instead.
The case has deeply divided public opinion in South Korea. Supporters of Yoon claim the trial was politically motivated, while his detractors insist that insurrection warrants the harshest possible penalty. The anger reflects broader frustrations over the country's political instability and the perception that powerful figures evade full accountability.
Yoon, who was impeached and removed from office following the martial law attempt, has maintained his innocence. His legal team has indicated it will appeal the sentence. The prosecution had sought the death penalty, which remains a legal but rarely enforced punishment in South Korea.
