Seoul: A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Seok-yeol to life in prison for leading a coup that began when he declared martial law more than a year ago.

According to Thai News Agency, the timeline of events began on December 3, 2024, when Prime Minister Yoon declared martial law via a nationwide televised broadcast. This move was aimed at dismantling anti-government forces and breaking the political deadlock. However, the declaration was short-lived as, on December 4, 2024, 190 members of the National Assembly voted against recognizing it, leading to its revocation after just six hours.

Despite issuing an apology to the nation on December 7, 2024, Yoon refused to resign. The impeachment process was initially stalled due to a lack of quorum, but on December 14, 2024, the National Assembly successfully voted to impeach him. This initiated a series of legal proceedings, including an investigation announced by prosecutors on December 8, 2024, and the issuance of an arrest warrant on December 31, 2024, after Yoon failed to appear in court.

Yoon surrendered on January 15, 2025, following an extension of the arrest warrant. He was released from detention on March 9, 2025, but his political career was effectively over when the Constitutional Court, on April 4, 2025, ruled that he had violated his constitutional duties, permanently removing him from office.

The political landscape further shifted when Lee Jae-myung won the presidential election on June 3, 2025. Yoon was re-arrested on July 10, 2025, as legal proceedings continued. His wife, Kim Gun-hee, was also detained on August 13, 2025, on charges of bribery.

The legal battles culminated with the special prosecutor's request for the death penalty on January 13, 2026. However, the Seoul Central District Court ultimately sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment on February 19, 2026. Other key figures, including former Prime Minister Han Deok-soo and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, received significant sentences for their roles in the coup.

This series of events marks a tumultuous period in South Korean politics, highlighting the severe consequences of Yoon's actions and the broader implications for the country's governance.