Former South Korean President Yoon appeals life sentence in rebellion case
Under South Korean law, a ringleader convicted of rebellion faces either the death penalty or life imprisonment.
KATHMANDU: Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has filed an appeal against a life imprisonment sentence linked to a rebellion case, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Yoon’s legal team submitted the appeal on Tuesday (Feb 24) to the Seoul Central District Court, following last week’s ruling (February 19) that found him guilty as the ringleader of a rebellion and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Under South Korean law, a ringleader convicted of rebellion faces either the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Yoon was accused of unconstitutionally declaring an emergency martial law on Dec 3, 2024, blocking a parliamentary motion to lift the martial law, deploying military and police forces, and attempting to detain top political figures, including major party leaders and the National Assembly Speaker.
The National Assembly nullified the martial law within hours on the night it was declared.
The Constitutional Court later upheld Yoon’s impeachment in April 2025, removing him from office. In their appeal, Yoon’s defense team argued the ruling contained factual errors and legal misinterpretations.
The case will now proceed to a higher court for review.
