Yoon Appeals Ruling Ordering 100,000 Won Compensation to Citizens for Martial Law Damages

104 Citizens File Lawsuit Against Yoon
Plaintiffs Win First Trial... "Clear Psychological Harm to the People"

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol's legal team has appealed the court's ruling that ordered him to compensate citizens who suffered psychological harm due to the 12·3 Martial Law.

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is heading to Seoul Detention Center after completing the second pre-arrest hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on July 9, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On July 29, Yoon's legal representative submitted a notice of appeal to the Seoul Central District Court. The statement of reasons for appeal will be submitted to the appellate court.

Previously, on July 25, Lee Seongbok, the presiding judge of the Civil Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Court, ruled in favor of 104 citizens who filed a lawsuit against former President Yoon, ordering him to pay 100,000 won per plaintiff as compensation for damages.

The court stated, "It is evident, based on common experience, that the plaintiffs, as citizens of the Republic of Korea, would have suffered psychological pain or damage expressed as fear, anxiety, frustration, and shame due to the martial law measures," and added, "At the very least, the amount of 100,000 won per plaintiff as requested can be sufficiently recognized."

The court further noted that former President Yoon "violated his duties as president to uphold the people's right to life, freedom, and dignity by paralyzing the National Assembly, the representative body of the people, through unconstitutional and unlawful martial law and related actions."

Previously, on December 10 of last year, the "Preparatory Group for the Compensation Lawsuit Regarding Yoon Suk-yeol's Acts of Insurrection" filed a lawsuit seeking 100,000 won per person. The reason cited was that former President Yoon had neglected his presidential duty to guarantee the people's right to life and freedom, resulting in psychological harm.

The preparatory group was organized by attorney Lee Geumgyu, who had served as the National Assembly's legal representative during the impeachment trial of former President Yoon. Attorney Lee initially planned to represent the plaintiffs in this lawsuit, but after being appointed as a special prosecutor in the Chae Sangbyeong Special Prosecutor's Team, he resigned from the plaintiffs' legal team and participated only as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.