Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life in Jail for Insurrection

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment for abuse of authority and masterminding an attempted insurrection. The court's verdict is the most significant ruling against him, arising from an indecisive martial law bid in December 2024 that caused nationwide political upheaval.

In an unprecedented verdict, a South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison on charges of abuse of authority and insurrection. Prosecutors originally sought the death penalty for Yoon, who attempted to impose martial law in December 2024, a move that divided the nation.

The attempted insurrection by Yoon, a conservative former prosecutor, was criticized for undermining democratic structures, including the National Assembly and Election Commission. Despite the severity of his actions, the death penalty was not handed down; South Korea last executed a convict in 1997.

Despite being ousted, Yoon is set to appeal this latest ruling. The former leader, linked to a series of trials concerning his failed administration, remains a divisive figure in South Korea, a nation known for its democratic resilience and economic stability in Asia.

(With inputs from agencies.)