Former South Korean justice minister sentenced to 25 years

A former South Korean justice minister has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the failed 2024 martial law declaration by former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Seoul Central District Court found Park Sungjae guilty of involvement in an insurrection on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Prosecutors argued that Park, who served as justice minister, played a key supporting role in the short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024. The court found that in the early hours of the declaration, he convened a meeting of ministry officials and reviewed prison capacity in anticipation of arrests of anti-government figures. The ruling stated that Park instructed cooperation with martial law authorities on the assumption the decree would remain effective.

The court imposed a sentence exceeding the 20-year term sought by prosecutors, who accused Park of abusing his authority and undermining the rule of law. They said he had shown no remorse.

The martial law declaration, announced by Yoon in a late-night televised address, lasted only about six hours before lawmakers convened an emergency session and voted to overturn it. The event triggered widespread protests, political turmoil,...