People at Seoul Station on Feb. 19 watch live presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon of the Seoul Central District Court in the first trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on the charge of masterminding the failed martial law attempt on Dec. 3, 2024. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Hyelin

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life in prison for masterminding the failed attempt at martial law on Dec. 3, 2024.

Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon of the 25th criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court on Feb. 19 announced the sentence 443 days after the incident, making Yoon the first president in the country's constitutional history to be convicted of insurrection for acts committed while in office.

Calling the core of his case "the dispatch of the military to the National Assembly," the court said Yoon's attempt to blockade the legislature by mobilizing troops and arresting key politicians meet the two conditions for his crime: "intent to subvert the Constitution" and "riot."

The ruling rejected the defense's argument that the act was intended to protect liberal democracy against the opposition party's bid to impeach Yoon and conduct budget cuts, calling it "confusing motive with purpose."

Co-defendants with Yoon were also found guilty. Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong Hyun received 30 years in prison; former Defense Intelligence Command chief Noh Sang-won 18; former Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) Cho Ji-ho 12; former Commissioner General of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Kim Bong-sik 10; and former National Assembly Guard Chief Mok Hyun-tae three.

Former Col. Kim Yong-gun and Yoon Seung-young, a former KNPA officer for investigation planning and coordination, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

The court cited as unfavorable factors the ex-president's role as the mastermind of the crime and his refusal to attend trial without apology as the reasons for the sentence. The ruling, however, said it took into consideration the lack of a detailed plan, no physical force used including live ammunition, Yoon's lack of a criminal record and his advanced age (65).

The court said the martial law attempt caused damage "at an incalculable level" like the downgrade of the nation's international credibility and social polarization. 

kimhyelin211@korea.kr