Martial Law Misfire: Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced, Deepening South Korea’s Political Divide

Seoul – South Korea’s former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to seize power through a short-lived declaration of martial law, a court ruled Thursday. The verdict marks one of the most dramatic political crises in South Korea’s modern history.

A Seoul court found that Yoon tried to subvert the constitution on 3 December 2024 by deploying military forces to block the National Assembly and ordering the arrest of opposition lawmakers. Presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon described Yoon’s actions as fundamentally damaging to South Korea’s democracy, calling for a strong punishment. Prosecutors had originally sought the death penalty, although South Korea has not executed anyone since 1997, effectively making a death sentence equivalent to life imprisonment.

Political Fallout and Divisions

Yoon’s martial law declaration lasted only hours, overturned after parliamentarians stormed the National Assembly. Nonetheless, the episode intensified political polarization across the nation.

Outside the court, thousands of Yoon supporters gathered, many in tears, holding banners reading “Yoon, Again.” Counter-protesters called for the harshest possible sentence, reflecting the deep societal rift triggered by the former president’s actions. Yoon maintained a stoic expression during the verdict. His legal team argued the court’s decision lacked sufficient evidence and claimed the judgment followed a “pre-written script.”

Co-Conspirators Also Jailed

Several of Yoon’s top officials were also sentenced:

• Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo – 23 years

• Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun – 30 years

• Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, ex-Intelligence Commander Roh Sang-won, and former Police Chief Cho Ji-ho – terms ranging from 20 to 25 years

Judges described the coordinated attempt as “an insurrection from the top,” though they found no conclusive evidence that Yoon had planned the move a year in advance.

Motives Behind Martial Law

Yoon justified his declaration as a safeguard against “anti-state forces” allegedly sympathetic to North Korea. Investigators say domestic political pressure played a larger role: the opposition-controlled parliament had severely limited Yoon’s authority, and his wife Kim Keon Hee faced multiple corruption allegations.

After the failed attempt, Yoon faced impeachment and a string of indictments, with ongoing trials related to abuse of power and obstructing law enforcement.

Yoon Suk Yeol’s move to declare martial law on 3 December 2024 was driven by a mix of political desperation, personal pressure, and attempts to consolidate power, rather than a genuine national security threat. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Parliamentary Obstruction

• The opposition held a majority in the National Assembly, leaving Yoon a “lame-duck” president.

• His policy initiatives and appointments were repeatedly blocked, frustrating his ability to govern effectively.

• Declaring martial law would have temporarily bypassed the legislature, giving him control over lawmakers and government operations.

2. Corruption Allegations Against His Family

• Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, was under scrutiny for alleged corruption.

• The political climate around these allegations threatened Yoon’s credibility and support. Martial law may have been intended to suppress investigations or intimidate political rivals.

3. Framing as a National Security Concern

• Publicly, Yoon claimed the martial law was needed to protect the country from “anti-state forces sympathetic to North Korea.”

• Investigations later suggested this was largely a pretext; domestic political pressures were the main driver.

4. Consolidation of Power

• Martial law would have allowed Yoon to:

  • Deploy the military to control key government institutions, including the National Assembly.

  • Arrest opposition politicians to weaken rivals.

  • Reinforce executive authority over judicial and legislative checks.

Who Gains Politically?

The ruling Democratic Party, which won the presidency after Yoon’s removal, is likely to benefit politically from the verdict. Party leader Jung Chung-rae criticized the court for not imposing the death penalty, arguing that the public would view the life sentence as insufficient given the severity of Yoon’s actions.

Analysts suggest that the ruling may strengthen the Democratic Party’s influence in the upcoming local and parliamentary elections, while deepening divides between conservative supporters of Yoon and progressive voters.

Lessons for South Korea

Experts believe the case underscores vulnerabilities in South Korea’s political system when executive power clashes with parliamentary oversight. The country’s previous presidents have also been jailed but later pardoned after serving only a few years, fueling speculation that Yoon could receive similar clemency.

The case has also triggered international attention, highlighting the fragility of democratic institutions in East Asia.
 

A History of Presidential Convictions
 

South Korea has a notable history of former presidents being convicted and jailed, usually for corruption or abuse of power. Here’s a detailed background:

1. Park Geun-hye (2013–2017)

• Impeached in 2017 after a massive corruption scandal involving influence peddling and bribery.

• Convicted in 2018 and sentenced to 25 years in prison (later reduced to 20 years after appeals).

• Pardoned in December 2021 on humanitarian grounds.

2. Lee Myung-bak (2008–2013)

• Convicted for bribery and embezzlement.

• Sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2018.

• Appeal processes reduced his sentence, but he served several years before release.

3. Chun Doo-hwan (1980–1988)

• Former military dictator, jailed in the 1990s for coup d’état and corruption.

• Originally sentenced to death (later commuted to life imprisonment).

• Pardoned in 1997 as part of a political reconciliation effort.

4. Roh Tae-woo (1988–1993)

• Successor to Chun, also convicted for coup involvement and corruption.

• Sentenced to 17 years, later pardoned in 1997.

Patterns & Observations:

• South Korea has a tradition of pardoning former presidents after they serve only a fraction of their sentences, often for political reconciliation.

• Most convictions involve corruption, abuse of power, or coup attempts, rather than purely policy disputes.

• If Yoon Suk Yeol follows this historical pattern, his life sentence could be reduced or pardoned after a few years, despite the severity of his martial law attempt.