Life sentence for ex-president triggers political backlash

Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae speaks while holding prepared remarks calling for the death penalty during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The Seoul Central District Court's decision to sentence former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment on insurrection charges drew sharply divided reactions from political parties, with the ruling bloc criticizing the verdict while the opposition largely remained silent.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) strongly criticized the court’s decision, denouncing the verdict as inadequate and out of step with public sentiment while directing sharp criticism at the judiciary.

“I believe the judiciary has shaken the foundations of justice by sentencing the ringleader of an insurrection that rocked the very foundations of the nation to life imprisonment rather than death,” DPK leader Jung Chung-rae said during an emergency meeting of the party’s Supreme Council at the National Assembly.

Expressing deep regret over the court’s decision, he added that it ignores the unarmed citizens who stood up against the Dec. 3 martial law forces and the peaceful protests that defended democracy.

“The public will view the judiciary’s decision to effectively defer a historic reckoning as deeply inadequate and unsatisfactory,” Jung added.

He stressed that the party would remain vigilant as the case proceeds.

“With the appellate and Supreme Court rulings still ahead, we will not let down our guard and will closely monitor the process with unwavering attention until a final verdict is reached,” he said.

Park Soo-hyun, the party’s chief spokesperson, also criticized the ruling in an official statement, saying the court had set an unprecedented and troubling standard in Korean judicial history by suggesting that even the leader of an insurrection could receive leniency because of his age and clean record. He added that the judiciary will not escape public backlash.

A response at the National Assembly level was also signaled. DPK Rep. Kim Yong-min, the vice chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said that the Assembly will move swiftly to pass a bill banning pardons for insurrection-related crimes.

Rep. Lee Ki-heon likewise vowed to push through a revision to the pardon law, stressing that he would ensure the passage of an amendment prohibiting pardons for those convicted of insurrection.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik urged Yoon to apologize to the public after he was sentenced to life imprisonment over his martial law fiasco.

Woo said the court’s decision legally confirmed that the Dec. 3 martial law imposition constituted an act of insurrection. He also expressed regret that the court considered its quick failure a mitigating factor, arguing that it collapsed not due to insufficient preparation, but because the National Assembly and the public resisted.

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok enters a party Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Meanwhile, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) refrained from issuing an official statement immediately after the ruling. Instead, calls intensified for leader Jang Dong-hyeok to sever ties with Yoon.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said shortly after the verdict, “As a member of the party that produced the president, I feel a deep sense of devastation before the judiciary’s stern ruling. I once again bow my head in sincere apology to the people.”

PPP floor leader Song Eon-seog apologized after the verdict, saying the party will distance itself from any forces that undermine the constitutional order.

“We feel a deep sense of responsibility for the guilty verdict handed down to a former president produced by our party and extend our sincere apologies to party members and the public,” Song said in a Facebook post.

Jang is scheduled to hold a press conference Friday to announce the PPP's official position.