Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment for declaring martial law in December 2024, an act the central district court in Seoul deemed an insurrection aimed at undermining the nation's constitution. Yoon, a conservative politician and former prosecutor, cited the need to protect the country's liberal order from communist and North Korea sympathizers, though he presented no evidence. His attempt to isolate the National Assembly with military units failed when lawmakers quickly repealed the martial law decree, leading to his impeachment and subsequent charges. The special prosecution team had sought the death penalty, arguing Yoon meticulously planned the martial law to dismantle the constitutional order, causing immense harm. Yoon has consistently labeled the trial illegitimate and reportedly missed 16 court dates. He also received a five-year sentence in a separate trial for obstruction of justice.