Former President Yoon Suk-yeol sentenced to 30 years for treason in martial law plot

A South Korean court has handed down a harsh sentence to former President Yoon Suk-yeol, condemning him to 30 years in prison for treason. The court found that Yoon, along with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former National Defense Security Commander Rhee In-hyeong, deliberately orchestrated a military operation to provoke North Korea.

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This operation was for the purpose of creating a situation for the declaration of emergency martial law, and it mobilized the military in violation of the mission of the Republic of Korea's armed forces (performing the sacred duty of national security and territorial defense).

The operation, which took place between October and November 2024, involved sending military drones into North Korean territory to drop leaflets. While the defense claimed this was a response to North Korea's trash balloon launches, the court ruled it was a private endeavor aimed at creating a security crisis to justify the declaration of martial law. This action, the court stated, violated the constitutional duty of the armed forces to ensure national security and territorial defense.

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Defendants Yoon Suk-yeol, Kim Yong-hyun, and Rhee In-hyeong conspired to provoke North Korea and incite military provocations, thereby creating a security crisis situation such as a localized conflict.

In addition to treason, Yoon, Kim, and Rhee were found guilty of abuse of power and obstruction of justice. The court determined that they used military resources for personal political objectives, thereby harming South Korea's military interests and compromising future operational capabilities by exposing military assets to North Korea. The court also noted that key figures like the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had opposed the operation, but Yoon and his associates repeatedly ordered its execution.

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This operation, by using the military power possessed by the Republic of Korea for purposes unrelated to national security and territorial defense, itself caused unnecessary consumption of military power and harmed the Republic of Korea's military interests.

Yoon's defense team has vowed to appeal the verdict, calling the treason charge a "baseless frame" and a "reckless prosecution" that severely damages national security. They argue that the court's acceptance of the treason charge, which they claim does not exist in law, will leave a lasting scar on South Korea's security capabilities and democratic order. Meanwhile, Kim's legal team stated that "only the Kim Jong-un regime benefits from this ruling" and pledged to fight the decision. A civic group, People's Solidarity for Participatory Self-Government, supported the heavy sentences, deeming them appropriate given the severity of orchestrating military conflict for political gain.

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Defendant Yoon Suk-yeol approved the execution of this operation from the beginning for the purpose of creating a situation for the declaration of emergency martial law.