By Oluwakemi Kindness
A South Korean court has sentenced former Justice Minister, Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison for his role in the 2024 martial law crisis linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The Seoul Central District Court found Park guilty of insurrection, saying he played a key role in supporting the controversial declaration of martial law during Yoon’s brief attempt to impose emergency rule in December 2024.
According to prosecutors, Park attended an emergency meeting after the martial law announcement and reviewed prison capacity in preparation for possible arrests of anti-government figures.
The court ruled that his actions helped enable a situation that threatened democratic order and civil liberties in the country.
Judge Lee Jin-gwan said Park ignored warnings about the legality of the declaration and instead supported measures tied to the attempted crackdown.
Park was immediately taken into custody after the verdict. Prosecutors had originally sought a 20-year sentence.
The ruling is part of a wider crackdown on officials linked to the failed martial law attempt, which lasted only about six hours before lawmakers overturned it in parliament.
The incident sparked nationwide protests, financial market turmoil, and a major political crisis in South Korea.
Several senior officials tied to the former president have also received heavy sentences, as investigations into the failed power grab continue.
