Yoon Suk Yeol martial law and related convictions
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is currently facing multiple legal proceedings, including a request by prosecutors on April 24, 2026, for a 30-year prison sentence in a case alleging drone operations over Pyongyang to create a pretext for his December 2024 martial law declaration. As of April 24, 2026, Yoon has been sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection and five years for obstructing justice, with a special counsel also demanding a two-year sentence in a perjury case. He is appealing his life sentence, citing "flaws in this judgment," and is facing a total of eight criminal trials. Seven general-level officers have filed lawsuits to revoke disciplinary actions for their alleged roles in the martial law bid, while former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo received a 23-year sentence.
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April 2026 — 4 developments
South Korean prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol in a case concerning alleged drone operations over Pyongyang.
South Korean prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol in a case concerning alleged drone operations over Pyongyang. Prosecutors claim Yoon ordered these operations to create a pretext for his December 2024 martial law declaration. This case is one of eight trials Yoon is facing following his impeachment and removal from office.
A special counsel team demanded a two-year prison sentence for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in a perjury case linked to his martial law declaration.
A special counsel team demanded a two-year prison sentence for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in a perjury case linked to his martial law declaration. This demand follows his life sentence for orchestrating an insurrection.
Seven South Korean general-level officers have filed lawsuits against the defense ministry seeking t…
Seven South Korean general-level officers have filed lawsuits against the defense ministry seeking to revoke disciplinary actions taken against them for their alleged role in the 2024 martial law bid. These lawsuits were filed in March 2026, following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment in April 2025 and his subsequent life sentence for insurrection.
Rallies were held on April 4, 2026, to mark the one-year anniversary of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
Rallies were held on April 4, 2026, to mark the one-year anniversary of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Yoon was found guilty of abuse of power, falsifying documents, and obstructing justice on January 16, 2026, receiving a five-year sentence, and was later sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating an insurrection related to his martial law declaration on February 19, 2026.
March 2026 — 2 developments
An appeals court in Seoul has begun the first hearing for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's trial on charges of obstruction of justice.
An appeals court in Seoul has begun the first hearing for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's trial on charges of obstruction of justice. This hearing follows a lower court's ruling in January that sentenced Yoon to five years in prison for obstructing investigators after his martial law attempt in December 2024. Both Yoon and the special counsel team have appealed the initial verdict.
The appeals court began the first hearing for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's obstruction of justice trial on March 3, 2026.
The appeals court began the first hearing for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's obstruction of justice trial on March 3, 2026. Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on December 14, 2024, and his impeachment was upheld by the Constitutional Court on April 4, 2025.
February 2026 — 5 developments
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has appealed his life sentence for rebellion, handed down after his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has appealed his life sentence for rebellion, handed down after his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. His lawyers stated they would challenge the verdict, citing "flaws in this judgment" and "misapplications of laws."
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized on February 20, 2026, for the suffering caused by his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized on February 20, 2026, for the suffering caused by his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024. The apology came a day after he was sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection. Yoon stated he was sorry for the "frustration and hardship" but stood behind the "sincerity and purpose" of his actions, while also claiming the court's decision was "predetermined."
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received a five-year prison term on January 16, 2026, for obstructing his arrest, in addition to his life sentence for insurrection.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received a five-year prison term on January 16, 2026, for obstructing his arrest, in addition to his life sentence for insurrection. This sentence is part of multiple legal proceedings against Yoon, who faces a total of eight criminal trials. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years for his role in the martial law attempt.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life in prison after being convict…
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of leading an insurrection related to his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of orchestrating an attempt to install a military-led government, rejecting prosecutors' request for the death penalty. This verdict makes Yoon the first elected head of state in South Korea's democratic era to receive the maximum custodial sentence.
Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in th…
Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the insurrection linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law declaration in December 2024. The court found Lee guilty of aiding the insurrection and perjury.
January 2026 — 5 developments
International human rights groups issued a joint statement on January 30, 2026, opposing the death p…
International human rights groups issued a joint statement on January 30, 2026, opposing the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, arguing for accountability but not capital punishment.
The Seoul High Court has temporarily assigned the appeal for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's five-year prison sentence to its Criminal Division 20.
The Seoul High Court has temporarily assigned the appeal for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's five-year prison sentence to its Criminal Division 20. This procedural step follows his conviction for obstruction of special official duties.
Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison on January 21, 2…
Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison on January 21, 2026, for his involvement in the martial law insurrection, having been found to have created the appearance of a legitimate cabinet meeting to approve an unconstitutional decree.
A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for charges related to his martial law decree, and he plans to appeal the ruling.
A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for charges related to his martial law decree, and he plans to appeal the ruling.
Prosecutors demanded the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol in his insurrection trial …
Prosecutors demanded the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol in his insurrection trial on January 13, 2026, characterizing his actions as a "serious destruction of constitutional order."
December 2025 — 1 developments
South Korean prosecutors sought a 10-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol during …
South Korean prosecutors sought a 10-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol during the final hearing of his trial for obstruction of justice and other charges related to his martial law attempt. He is also facing multiple other trials, including a more severe charge of leading an insurrection, with one trial continuing into February 2026.
April 2025 — 1 developments
The Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the impeachment against President Yoon Suk Yeol, officially removing him from office.
The Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the impeachment against President Yoon Suk Yeol, officially removing him from office. This ruling triggered a snap presidential election to be held within 60 days.
March 2025 — 1 developments
The Constitutional Court ruled against the National Assembly's impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president.
The Constitutional Court ruled against the National Assembly's impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president.
February 2025 — 1 developments
The Constitutional Court held its 11th and final hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial, with Yoon present for his final statement.
The Constitutional Court held its 11th and final hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial, with Yoon present for his final statement.
January 2025 — 1 developments
President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained as part of a widening probe into his martial law decree.
President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained as part of a widening probe into his martial law decree.
December 2024 — 6 developments
Opposition lawmakers voted to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was serving as acting president, citing his failure to act on Yoon's impeachment process.
Opposition lawmakers voted to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was serving as acting president, citing his failure to act on Yoon's impeachment process. First Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok became acting president.
The Constitutional Court held its first internal meeting to discuss President Yoon's impeachment trial.
The Constitutional Court held its first internal meeting to discuss President Yoon's impeachment trial.
The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon with 204 votes in favor, suspending his presidential powers and duties.
The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon with 204 votes in favor, suspending his presidential powers and duties. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo became acting president.
The first impeachment vote against President Yoon in the National Assembly failed as his party boycotted the proceeding, preventing a quorum.
The first impeachment vote against President Yoon in the National Assembly failed as his party boycotted the proceeding, preventing a quorum.
Lawmakers voted to rescind President Yoon's martial law order, which was subsequently lifted.
Lawmakers voted to rescind President Yoon's martial law order, which was subsequently lifted.
President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a televised emergency address, citing 'anti-state forces' and a 'legislative dictatorship' by the opposition.
President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a televised emergency address, citing 'anti-state forces' and a 'legislative dictatorship' by the opposition.