A South Korean court sentences former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison for his role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief martial law declaration in December 2024. The Seoul Central District Court issues the ruling on Monday after a special counsel team indicted Park on charges that include involvement in “insurrection” and abuse of power connected to the martial law move.
According to prosecutors’ claims reported by multiple outlets, Park holds a meeting with Justice Ministry officials in the early hours of the declaration and checks prison capacity, including plans for potential arrests of anti-government figures. The martial law order lasts about six hours: lawmakers rush to the National Assembly and vote it down during an emergency session.
Park is presented in the reporting as the latest figure from Yoon’s ousted administration to face criminal punishment related to the martial law attempt. Other officials have also received sentences, and the case remains part of a broader legal process surrounding the December 2024 episode.
