What happens when a country known for its strong democracy faces a sudden jolt from within?
That’s exactly what unfolded in South Korea—and the fallout has been dramatic.
A court in Seoul has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison.
It ruled that his short-lived attempt to impose martial law in 2024 amounted to an insurrection.
It’s a stunning fall from power. Just months ago, he was leading the nation.
Martial Law Fallout
So what went wrong? In December 2024, Yoon went on national television and declared martial law.
It was necessary to eliminate “anti-state forces.” But the move lasted only six hours. Six hours that shook the country.
The Seoul Central District Court didn’t hold back. Judge Ji Gwi-yeon said the decision caused “enormous social costs” and pointed to Yoon’s lack of remorse.
Prosecutors even pushed for the death penalty—though South Korea hasn’t carried out executions since 1997.
At the heart of the case? An alleged attempt to silence critics and weaken the National Assembly of South Korea.
For a nation often seen as a democratic model in Asia, the question now lingers: how close did it come to something far more dangerous—and could it happen again?
