"Yoon was impeached, arrested and dismissed as president after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024 triggered huge public protests calling for his ouster. The most significant criminal charge against him alleges that his martial law enforcement amounted to a rebellion, and the independent counsel has requested the death sentence in the case that is to be decided in a ruling next month."
"Yoon has maintained he didn't intend to place the country under military rule, saying his decree was only meant to inform the people about the danger of the liberal-controlled parliament obstructing his agenda. But investigators have viewed Yoon's decree as an attempt to bolster and prolong his rule, charging him with rebellion, abuse of power and criminal offenses. Judge Baek Dae-hyun said in the televised ruling that imposing "a grave punishment" was necessary because Yoon hasn't shown remorse and has only repeated "hard-to-comprehend excuses.""
"Yoon, who can appeal the ruling, hasn't immediately publicly responded to the ruling. But when the independent counsel demanded a 10-year prison term in the case, Yoon's defense team accused them of being politically driven and lacking legal grounds to demand such "an excessive" sentence. Prison sentences in the multiple, smaller trials Yoon faces would matter if he is spared the death penalty or life imprisonment at the rebellion trial."
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol received a five-year prison sentence in the first verdict of eight criminal trials tied to his December 2024 martial law and other allegations. He was impeached, arrested and dismissed after imposing short-lived martial law that spurred massive public protests. Prosecutors allege the martial law amounted to a rebellion, and an independent counsel has sought the death penalty in the principal case, with a decision due next month. The Seoul court convicted Yoon of resisting detention, fabricating the proclamation and bypassing a mandated full Cabinet meeting. The judge cited lack of remorse as justification for a grave punishment; Yoon denies intent to impose prolonged military rule and retains the right to appeal.
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