In a major development, former South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol has been found guilty of masterminding an insurrection in December 2024. The court found Yeol had misused authority while imposing martial law for a brief period of time.

According to news agency The Associated Press, the court has awarded him life sentence. However, the prosecutor had demanded death sentence for him.

Besides, other top officials have also been awarded strict punishment for the brief insurrection.

Here is the list: 

- Kim Yong-hyun, the ex-defence minister in Yoon's administration, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, BBC reported.

- Roh Sang-won, former intelligence commander, sentenced to 18 years in prison

- Cho Ji-ho, ex-police chief, sentenced to 12 years

- Kim Bong-sik, former Seoul Metropolitan police chief, sentenced to 10 years

- Mok Hyun-tae, former head of the National Assembly police guards, sentenced to 3 years

Ex-president evades death penalty

A special prosecutor had demanded the death penalty for Yoon, saying his actions posed a threat to the country's democracy and deserved the most serious punishment available, but most analysts expect a life sentence since the poorly-planned power grab did not result in casualties.

South Korea has not executed a death row inmate since 1997, in what is widely seen as a de facto moratorium on capital punishment amid calls for its abolition.

As Yoon arrived in court, hundreds of police officers watched closely as Yoon supporters rallied outside a judicial complex, their cries rising as the prison bus transporting him drove past. Yoon's critics gathered nearby, demanding the death penalty.

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The court also convicted and sentenced several former military and police officials involved in enforcing Yoon's martial law decree, including ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who received a 30-year jail term for his central role in planning the measure and mobilizing the military.

Yoon, a staunch conservative, has defended his martial law decree as necessary to stop liberals, whom he described as "anti-state" forces, from obstructing his agenda with their legislative majority.

The decree lasted about six hours before being lifted after a quorum of lawmakers managed to break through a military blockade and unanimously voted to lift the measure.

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Yoon's suspension

Yoon was suspended from office on December 14, 2024, after being impeached by lawmakers and was formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. He has been under arrest since last July while facing multiple criminal trials, with the rebellion charge carrying the most severe punishment.

Last month, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for resisting arrest, fabricating the martial law proclamation and sidestepping a legally mandated full Cabinet meeting before declaring the measure.

(With inputs from agency)