Yoon Suk-yeol Attacks Life Sentence Ruling: Decision is 'Political Revenge' and Preordained

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attacked the ruling against him of life imprisonment, describing it as 'preordained' and part of 'political revenge,' following his conviction for plotting a coup after declaring martial law in late 2024.

Fiery Statement After the Ruling

Yoon's remarks came in a statement issued by his lawyer, a day after the Seoul Central Court sentenced him to life imprisonment for undermining the constitutional order.
The former president expressed regret for the 'frustration and suffering' caused by his decision but emphasized that he acted with 'sincerity and purpose' in defense of the country, asserting that his political opponents are trying to distort his decision and label it as 'a coup' to settle political scores.

6 Hours That Shook South Korea

Yoon declared martial law in December 2024, a move that lasted only about six hours before being rejected by parliament, but it caused widespread political shock and sparked street protests.
The court found that his decision involved deploying forces to storm parliament and arrest opponents, which it deemed a direct violation of the constitutional order, leading to his removal from office and imprisonment.

Defense of 'Presidential Powers'

In contrast, Yoon, a former prosecutor, denied the charges against him, asserting that declaring martial law fell within his constitutional powers, and that his action aimed – according to him – to warn against opposition obstruction of government operations.
The case is expected to continue to provoke sharp political division within South Korea, in one of the most complex constitutional crises in the country's modern history.