Seoul: South Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol apologized to the public, a day after being sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection. In a statement released through his lawyers, the 65-year-old expressed remorse for causing public 'frustration and hardship' through his martial law decree, while asserting that his actions were intended 'solely for the country and the people.'
According to Ghana News Agency, Yoon portrayed himself as a political victim, labeling the charges against him as a 'delusion,' and assured his supporters that 'Our fight is not over.' On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law, which led to the most severe constitutional crisis in South Korea in decades. He claimed that the measure was necessary to protect the country's liberal order from an opposition he alleged was infiltrated by communists and sympathizers of North Korea, although he provided no evidence to support these allegations.
On Thursday, a court found the conservative politician guilty of leading an uprising and sentenced him to life imprisonment, concluding that by declaring martial law, he sought to undermine South Korea's democratic constitution. It remains uncertain whether Yoon will appeal the verdict.