As per reports, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, on Thursday (19 February), has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Seoul Central District Court for his 2024 imposition of martial law.

Following are the latest developments:

• The court found Yoon guilty of leading an insurrection, with the purpose of subverting the Constitution by sending the military to the National Assembly to monopolise power and to override the legislative and judicial branches. It thereby sentenced him to lifetime imprisonment. However, the Special Prosecutor and Democratic Party (DP) have stated that they will continue to seek the death penalty for the insurrection charge.
• Meanwhile, the court sentenced former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to 30 years in prison on charges of abuse of power and participation in key insurrection activities. Former National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho received 12 years for aiding the insurrection, while Noh Sang-won, chief of the Korea Defense Intelligence Command, was given an 18-year prison sentence. Former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-shik was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The chief of the National Assembly Police Security Guard was also handed a three-year prison term. Two other persons were acquited.
• Many Yoon supporters had gathered outside the court premises ahead of the verdict, with placards in support of the former President. It is indicated that a large number of them have dispersed following the verdict, while some still remain outside the court.