When will the Seoul High Court issue its verdict in Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law insurrection appeal?

The Seoul High Court scheduled the sentencing hearing for Jan. 26. The bench overseeing Yoon’s appeal announced the date Thursday.

How did Yoon Suk Yeol defend his martial law declaration in his final statement?

Yoon argued that declaring martial law did not itself constitute an insurrection. He said the declaration was intended to warn the opposition party against what he described as its abuse of legislative power.

Appeals court to rule on ex-President Yoon's martial law case on Jan. 26

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Summary

The Seoul High Court said Thursday it will deliver its verdict on former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s insurrection charges on Jan. 26, following his failed attempt to impose martial law. Yoon was sentenced to life in prison by a district court in February for leading an insurrection through the Dec. 3, 2024, martial law bid. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk’s team again sought the death penalty for Yoon, while Yoon argued that declaring martial law was not itself an insurrection.

Key Facts

The sentencing hearing in Yoon’s appeal is scheduled for Jan. 26.
The district court found Yoon guilty of leading an insurrection with the stated aim of eradicating anti-state forces.
Special counsel Cho Eun-suk’s team sought life imprisonment for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and a 30-year prison term for former Defense Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won.
In his final statement, Yoon said the martial law declaration was intended to warn the opposition party against what he described as its abuse of legislative power.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 5, 2026 8:31 pm KST

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attends his trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, Sept. 26, 2025. Joint Press Corps

An appeals court said Thursday it will deliver its verdict in January next year on former President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection charges stemming from his failed attempt to impose martial law.

The sentencing hearing will be held Jan. 26, the bench overseeing his appeal at the Seoul High Court said.

A district court sentenced Yoon to life in prison in February, after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection through the martial law bid on Dec. 3, 2024, with the stated aim of eradicating anti-state forces.

Earlier, special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team again sought the death penalty for Yoon.

The team also sought life imprisonment for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and a 30-year prison term for former Defense Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won for their roles in the martial law bid.

In his final statement Thursday, Yoon reiterated that his declaration of martial law itself does not constitute an insurrection, arguing that it was intended to warn the opposition party against what he described as its abuse of legislative power.

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