SEOUL — A South Korean court has sentenced former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison for his involvement in what prosecutors described as an attempted insurrection tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law order.
The Seoul Central District Court delivered the ruling Monday, exceeding the 20-year sentence sought by special prosecutors. Park was immediately detained due to concerns he might interfere with evidence.
Authorities said Park helped implement measures following Yoon’s Dec. 3, 2024 declaration of martial law, including discussions on deploying prosecutors to support martial law operations and preparing detention-related logistics for potential arrests of political figures.
The court ruled that Park violated his constitutional duty and participated in the insurrection effort, stating he chose to support the unlawful plan instead of upholding the law.
He joins several former cabinet members already convicted in the case, including ex-prime minister Han Duck-soo and former defense chief Kim Yong-hyun. Yoon Suk Yeol previously received a life sentence over the same martial law attempt and is appealing.
Separately, the court cleared Park of related corruption charges, saying they were outside the special counsel’s jurisdiction.
Park’s lawyers said they would appeal the decision, calling it legally and factually flawed.
