South Korean Justice Minister Sentenced to 25 Years for Involvement in Failed Martial Law Declaration
A former South Korean justice minister has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his involvement in ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's failed declaration of martial law in 2024. Park Sung-jae was found guilty of participating in an insurrection by the Seoul Central District Court. Yoon's brief martial law declaration was quickly overturned by lawmakers in an emergency session. Yoon himself is currently appealing a life sentence for leading an insurrection and was also given a 30-year jail term for sending drones to North Korea to create a national crisis. Park was accused of coordinating with the martial law command and checking prison capacity during the martial law incident. Prosecutors argued that Park abused his power and undermined the rule of law, seeking a 20-year sentence for him. Yoon's actions caused political turmoil in South Korea, leading to protests and economic instability. Several of Yoon's associates have also received significant prison sentences for their roles in the events, including former prime minister Han Duck-soo and former interior minister Lee Sang-min. The former defense minister was sentenced to three years for revealing classified military information in support of the insurrection. Yoon's wife, Kim Keon Hee, is serving a four-year sentence for unrelated charges of stock manipulation and bribery.