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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Ex-President Yoon apologizes for causing pain after receiving life term over martial law bid

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday apologized for suffering caused by his short-lived imposition of martial law in late 2024 but defended that his decree was solely aimed at saving the nation. Yoon made the remarks a day after he was handed life in prison for leading an insurrection, capping a chapter that plunged the nation's democracy into the worst crisis in decades. In the statement, however, there was little indication that Yoon would appeal. In the statement, Yoon disputed the Seoul Central District Court's ruling on Thursday that sentenced him to life in prison after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection through his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. "It is difficult to accept the logic that troops going to the National Assembly amounted to insurrection," Yoon said in the statement shared by his legal team. In its ruling, the court stressed that at the core of the case was Yoon's deployment of troops to the National Assembly during martial law, ruling that he aimed to paralyze the functions of a constitutional body. "My judgment and decision to declare martia

Feb 20, 2026By Yonhap
Ex-President Yoon apologizes for causing pain after receiving life term over martial law bid

PPP leader voices regret as ex-President Yoon sentenced to life in prison for leading insurrection

The leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Friday voiced regret as former President Yoon Suk Yeol was handed life in prison for leading insurrection over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok made the remark during a press conference at the National Assembly, in a thinly veiled indication that the conservative party may have no intention of fully severing ties with the ousted president, although the martial law crisis had thrown the nation into one of its worst cases of political turmoil in decades. Special prosecutors had sought the death penalty against Yoon, but the court sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment although finding him guilty of leading an insurrection over the Dec. 3 martial law in 2024. South Korea has overcome the political crisis from the martial law turmoil and reaffirmed its democratic resilience, but the conservative party has remained deeply divided over the aftermath of the martial law saga. "This is only the first verdict," Jang told reporters. "The right to be presumed innocent must be applied equally to everyone without

Feb 20, 2026By Yonhap
PPP leader voices regret as ex-President Yoon sentenced to life in prison for leading insurrection

Life sentence for ex-president triggers political backlash

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

Feb 19, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Life sentence for ex-president triggers political backlash

From martial law to life sentence: Timeline of Yoon Suk Yeol’s downfall

Thursday’s initial guilty verdict in the case against former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of leading an insurrection came 443 days after he declared martial law in December 2024, capping months of hearings that featured scores of witnesses and ending in a sentence of life in prison. Since the first hearing in April last year, the court has convened 43 times and heard testimony from roughly 160 witnesses. The proceedings included evidence from related cases against senior military and police officials accused of playing central roles in the insurrection, which were consolidated with Yoon's case in December. Here’s a timeline of the case, from Yoon’s martial law declaration to Thursday’s verdict. December 2024: Martial law declaration On Dec. 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law, saying it was necessary to counter what he described as forces sympathetic to North Korea and hostile to the state. The order was rescinded about six hours later, in the early hours of the following morning, after the National Assembly voted 190 to 0 to demand its withdrawal. Authorities and lawmakers m

Feb 19, 2026By Park Ung
From martial law to life sentence: Timeline of Yoon Suk Yeol’s downfall

Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to life in prison for leading insurrection

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison Thursday after a court found him guilty of leading an insurrection linked to his martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024. The court concluded that his actions met the legal definition of insurrection but declined to impose the death sentence despite the special counsel’s earlier request for capital punishment. Under Korean criminal law, the offense of leading an insurrection carries only three possible penalties: death, life imprisonment with labor or life imprisonment without labor. The ruling came 443 days after Yoon declared martial law. The court acknowledged Yoon as "the leader of the insurrection,” on the basis that his martial law declaration violated the authority of the National Assembly, an act which constitutes insurrection. “The core factual element of this case is that troops were sent to the National Assembly,” the court said, emphasizing that the act itself represented the use of force against a constitutional body. “It cannot be ruled out that Yoon aimed to paralyze the Assembly for a considerable peri

Feb 19, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to life in prison for leading insurrection

Special counsel appeals 7-year sentence for ex-interior minister over martial law role

A special counsel team on Wednesday appealed a court ruling sentencing former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min to seven years in prison for his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law. The team led by Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk filed the appeal six days after the Seoul Central District Court found Lee guilty of participating in Yoon's failed attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, and of perjury during the former president's impeachment trial last year. "The appeal was filed on the grounds of misinterpretation of facts, misapplication of legal principles and an unduly lenient sentence," the team said in a statement to the media. Prosecutors had sought a 15-year prison term for Lee, accusing him of ordering officials to cut off electricity and water supplies to media outlets critical of the administration on the night Yoon declared martial law. Lee became the second member of Yoon's Cabinet to be convicted in connection with the emergency order. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison last month for his role in t

Feb 18, 2026By Yonhap
Special counsel appeals 7-year sentence for ex-interior minister over martial law role

Parties shift into high gear for June local elections after Lunar New Year break

As the Lunar New Year holiday ends, Korea’s political parties are shifting into full campaign mode for nationwide local elections in June, sharpening strategies based on voter sentiment and accelerating preparations for candidate nominations. The elections will be the first nationwide vote since President Lee Jae Myung took office last year and are widely viewed as an early test of his political momentum — one that could help determine control of the national agenda in the years ahead. Both the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) are activating internal election committees and refining campaign messages, even as each grapples with internal tensions that could complicate plans. The DPK said public sentiment over the holiday underscored demand for political reform and relief from everyday economic strains. Party officials said they would anchor their campaign around those themes. DPK leaders said reform legislation — including bills tied to changes in the judiciary — would remain a priority during February’s extraordinary parlia

Feb 18, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Parties shift into high gear for June local elections after Lunar New Year break

Lee criticizes politicians for encouraging real estate speculation

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday criticized politicians for encouraging people to purchase multiple homes for investment or even seeking profits themselves, calling them the "real ills" of society. Lee made the remarks on social media platform X, sharing a news article of Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Party, who accused Lee of labeling owners of multiple homes as "social ills." "If we were to truly condemn the social ills, the blame should fall not on the owners of multiple homes who took advantage of the flawed system, but on the politicians who created and implemented such a system," Lee wrote. "Politicians, who should have ensured that undesirable ownership of multiple homes becomes a burden rather than a benefit, not only failed to address unfair privileges but encouraged speculation and even engaged in conflicts of interest by seeking profits from owning multiple homes themselves," he added. Lee's remarks came a day after Jang criticized a series of social media posts by Lee on the real estate market as "pathetic" and accused Lee of stigmatizin

Feb 18, 2026By Yonhap
Lee criticizes politicians for encouraging real estate speculation

Lee vows efforts to build fair society in Lunar New Year message

President Lee Jae Myung pledged Tuesday to build a society free of injustice and unfairness in a message to the public on Lunar New Year in his second year in office. Lee made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, expressing hope that "all citizens fulfill their wishes in the new year." "My wish is to create a world where no one inherits a dark and troubled world, where no one suffers from injustice and unfairness, and where no one can unjustly take away what belongs to others," he said. Lee stressed that he did not seek to become the president for the sake of power but to use his presidential authority to carry out meaningful work. He vowed efforts to address problems in the real estate market, build a safe and peaceful nation, and create a fair and rational society. Lee took office in June last year following months of political turmoil triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid in December 2024 and subsequent impeachment.

Feb 17, 2026By Yonhap
Lee vows efforts to build fair society in Lunar New Year message

National Assembly likely to vote on regional merger bills later this month

The National Assembly is likely to vote later this month on special bills to merge major cities and provinces into single administrative entities, in a move that would reshape the upcoming local elections in June. The Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee passed the merger bills during a plenary session Thursday, clearing the way for a floor vote at a full Assembly session. The proposed legislation seeks to integrate Daegu with North Gyeongsang Province, Busan with South Gyeongsang Province, Gwangju with South Jeolla Province and Daejeon with South Chungcheong Province to establish integrated local governments. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea, which holds a majority at the National Assembly, said earlier it will push to pass the bills by the end of February. If approved by a majority vote at a plenary session later this month, the bills would pave the way for completing the regional mergers in time for the June 3 local elections to allow voters to elect the first governors of the newly integrated entities. Under the proposal, a so-called integrated special city would

Feb 17, 2026By Yonhap
National Assembly likely to vote on regional merger bills later this month
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