"Insurrection Ringleader" Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life in First Trial
Expressionless for About an Hour... Leaves Court with a "Smile" for Supporters
Former President Yoon Sukyeol, who was charged with being the ringleader of an insurrection in connection with the December 3, 2024 emergency martial law incident, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first-instance trial. At the moment the sentence was handed down, he stared into space with a grim expression.
The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun) held the sentencing hearing on the insurrection ringleader charge against former President Yoon on the 13th and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
On this day, former President Yoon entered the courtroom wearing a white dress shirt and a navy suit. As soon as he entered, he bowed his head toward the bench in greeting and then took his seat at the defendant’s table. He also smiled at times while speaking with his attorney, Yoon Gapgeun.
After the sentencing hearing began, he spent about an hour either staring straight ahead without any particular expression or looking toward the bench.
When the court stated, "The defendant Yoon Sukyeol is sentenced to life imprisonment," former President Yoon firmly shut his mouth and gazed into empty space.
After the sentencing concluded, the courtroom also became tumultuous. Supporters seated in the gallery hurled abuse at the bench, shouting things like, "You crooks, you punks," and "You call this a trial?" When shouts such as "Mr. President, stay strong!" came from the gallery, former President Yoon smiled toward his supporters and then left the courtroom.
The court rebuked him, stating, "Former President Yoon directly and proactively planned the crime and involved many people in it," and, "The emergency martial law caused enormous social costs, and it is hard to find any sign that the defendant has expressed remorse for that."
Former President Yoon was indicted and brought to trial in custody in January last year on charges of staging a revolt for the purpose of subverting the constitutional order, including the declaration of emergency martial law on December 3, 2024. He is also accused of attempting to arrest and detain key figures such as President Lee Jaemyung (then leader of the Democratic Party of Korea) and former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, as well as blocking the National Assembly to obstruct a resolution to lift the emergency martial law.
Former Minister Kim was found guilty of performing an important role in the insurrection and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
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