A Seoul court found former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of being the “ringleader of an insurrection” and sentenced him to life imprisonment on Thursday, more than a year after his failed attempt to impose martial law to counter alleged “pro-North Korea” forces. 

Presiding Judge Jee Kui-youn of the Seoul Central District Court said Yoon’s actions satisfied the legal elements of insurrection under the Criminal Act, including intent to undermine the constitutional order and the commission of a riot.

While a declaration of martial law does not automatically constitute insurrection, the judge said it becomes criminal if the