A South Korean court has sentenced former justice minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison for his role in former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed 2024 martial law declaration, deepening the fallout from one of the country’s most serious political crises in decades.
According to Reuters, the Seoul Central District Court on June 22 found Park guilty of involvement in an insurrection linked to Yoon’s short-lived martial law order in December 2024, which lasted only six hours before lawmakers voted to overturn it in an emergency parliamentary session.
According to prosecutors, Park convened a meeting of justice ministry officials during the martial law period and reviewed prison capacity in preparation for possible arrests of anti-government figures. The court ruled that he had facilitated cooperation with the martial law command on the assumption that the decree would take effect.
The sentence exceeded the 20-year prison term sought by prosecutors, who argued that Park had abused his authority and undermined the rule of law. They also said he had shown no remorse for his actions.
The ruling is the latest in a series of convictions stemming from the failed martial law episode. Yoon has already been convicted of leading an insurrection and is appealing a life sentence. Earlier this month, he was also handed a separate 30-year prison term for allegedly authorising drone operations against North Korea to create a national security crisis that could justify martial law.
Several former senior officials have also received lengthy jail terms, including ex-prime minister Han Duck-soo and former interior minister Lee Sang-min.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law triggered nationwide protests, rattled financial markets and drew international concern, marking a dramatic turning point in South Korea’s modern political history.
