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Former South Korean President Yoon receives life sentence for imposing martial law
The court found Yoon aimed to paralyze the National Assembly and arrest opponents, sentencing him to life while convicting several officials with up to 30 years in prison.
- On February 19, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of abuse of authority and masterminding an insurrection.
- On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law late at night and ordered troops to surround the legislature, which was lifted after about six hours by lawmakers who voted to lift it.
- Judges concluded `The court finds that the intention was to paralyse the assembly for a considerable period`, citing acts of insurrection by dispatching armed soldiers and helicopters to the National Assembly.
- Yoon is likely to appeal and is expected to remain detained at the Seoul Detention Centre while appeals proceed, despite prosecutors and a special prosecutor seeking the death penalty.
- The ruling also convicted senior officials including Kim Yong-hyun, former Defence Minister, sentenced to 30 years, and Han Duck-soo, former Prime Minister, jailed for 23 years; the verdict closes a chapter that tested South Korea's democratic institutions and deepened national polarisation.
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183 Articles
Winnipeg Free PressReposted by 
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Owensboro Messenger-InquirerA look at major events that led to ex-South Korean president's conviction over martial law
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
·Winnipeg, Canada
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A court in South Korea found former president Yun Suk-yeol guilty of organizing a rebellion.
·Belgrade, Serbia
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South Korea ex-president sentenced to life for martial law decree
Global outrage erupted in December 2024 when Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, sending troops to block parliament; lawmakers overturned the order and impeached him; he has now been sentenced to life in prison, along with officers who assisted him
·Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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Total News Sources183
Leaning Left45Leaning Right27Center35Last UpdatedBias Distribution42% Left
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left
42% Left
L 42%
C 33%
R 25%
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