Ruling Party Outraged Over Yoon's Life Sentence: "No Leniency for the Insurrection Ringleader"

Criticism of the verdict voiced on social media
Vows to push legislation banning pardons for insurrection

Voices of discontent emerged even within the Democratic Party of Korea over former President Yoon Sukyeol being sentenced to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection. Some argued that the death penalty sought by the special prosecutor should have been upheld by the court. Many also pledged to push ahead with follow-up legislation, including a law banning pardons.

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jumin wrote on social media on the 19th, "If we cannot punish a successful insurrection, and we reduce the sentence for a failed insurrection, then how on earth are we supposed to properly punish insurrection?" Earlier, Judge Ji Guyoun took into account, in relation to the former president, his attempts to refrain from the use of physical force, his advanced age, the absence of a prior criminal record, and his long years of public service, and reflected these factors in the sentencing.

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Honggeun said, "The bench led by Judge Lee Jinkwan clearly stated that what Han Ducksoo committed was an 'insurrection from above' and handed down a heavy sentence," adding, "In today's sentencing, it was hard to find the same sense of historical responsibility and the grave determination to defend the Constitution." Park Honggeun went on, "It is a judgment far removed from the common sense of our people, who ran out barefoot in the dead of winter to stop the insurrection and martial law," and added, "From the second trial, the case will be heard by a panel specializing in insurrection cases. I hope to see a much stricter ruling that meets the constitutional duty to safeguard the Constitution and the demands of the times."

Yonhap News Agency

Democratic Party lawmaker Han Junho wrote on social media regarding the verdict, "Compared to the anger felt by the people, it is woefully insufficient," adding, "This is not a crime that should end with life imprisonment." He continued, "There can be no leniency for the ringleader of an insurrection. The special prosecutor must appeal immediately. A death sentence must be handed down by the higher court."

Democratic Party lawmaker Noh Jongmyeon also vented his dissatisfaction on social media, saying, "Judge Ji Guyoun pointed out that Yoon Sukyeol neither apologized nor appeared in court, yet still listed his restraint in using physical force, the failure of the insurrection, the absence of a criminal record, his long public service, and his relatively advanced age as favorable factors in sentencing," adding that these were "the reasons why Yoon Sukyeol was sentenced to life imprisonment instead of death."

There were also voices vowing to pursue follow-up procedures to ensure that pardons and other forms of clemency for the former president would be impossible. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yongmin, who serves as the Democratic Party’s secretary on the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said, "The first-instance trials of the key insurrectionists have come to a close," adding, "Now the National Assembly will move immediately to pass the law banning pardons."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Hyunjung said, "Although it falls short of the death sentence sought by the prosecution, this is a stern punishment handed down by the rule of law in the Republic of Korea against a man who tried to privatize state power and destroy the constitutional order," adding, "In addition to the already finalized five-year prison sentence, he must now spend the rest of his life in prison repenting for his crimes." Democratic Party lawmaker Min Byungdeok, referring to the rulings on former President Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun, wrote, "Justice has finally been served!" and went on to question the People Power Party’s responsibility, asking, "What about the responsibility of the party that nominated these insurrectionists and defended them to the bitter end?"