Ex-South Korean justice minister jailed for role in martial law plot

Ex-South Korean justice minister jailed for role in martial law plot
Lawmakers sit inside the hall at the National Assembly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 4 December, 2024.
Reuters

Former South Korean justice minister Park Sung-jae has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.

The Seoul Central District Court found Park guilty of playing a key role in the insurrection and abusing his authority following Yoon's shock declaration.

Prosecutors said Park instructed ministry officials to implement emergency measures immediately after the martial law announcement. These included ordering immigration officials to prepare to prevent people from leaving the country and directing prison authorities to confirm available capacity for detaining alleged martial law violators.

Fallout from martial law declaration

Yoon's martial law declaration in December 2024 lasted only around six hours before lawmakers forced their way into the National Assembly and voted unanimously to lift it.

The former president was sentenced to life imprisonment in February after being convicted of insurrection over the incident.

Park is the latest in a string of senior former officials to be punished over the episode. Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who advised Yoon to impose martial law, was jailed for 30 years last week, while former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo received a 23-year prison sentence.

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