South Korea’s ex-justice minister sentenced to 25 years for insurrection
A South Korean court has sentenced former justice minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison for his involvement in ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law declaration in 2024. The court found Park guilty of participating in an “insurrection” after a brief but chaotic period of martial law that lasted only hours. Several top officials in Yoon’s administration have also received lengthy prison sentences for their roles in the crisis. The events led to widespread protests and significant political turmoil in South Korea.
What we know
- Park Sung-jae was found guilty by the Seoul Central District Court for his role in the December 2024 martial law declaration.
- Ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late at night in December 2024, but lawmakers quickly overturned it after about six hours.
- Yoon was also sentenced to 30 years in jail this month for sending drones to North Korea to create a crisis.
- Other former officials, including Han Duck-soo, Lee Sang-min, and Kim Yong-hyun, have received prison sentences ranging from three to fifteen years.
- Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, is serving a four-year term for unrelated stock manipulation and bribery charges.
