A South Korean court sentenced former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison on Tuesday for his involvement in the brief and controversial martial law declaration issued by ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol in December 2024. The Seoul Central District Court found Park guilty of participating in an insurrection linked to Yoon’s attempt to impose emergency rule, a move that lasted roughly six hours before lawmakers quickly convened and nullified the order.

Yoon, who remains in detention while appealing a life sentence for leading the insurrection, was also handed a separate 30-year prison term this month for allegedly sending drones into North Korea to create a national crisis that would justify the martial law declaration. Prosecutors portrayed Park as having abused his authority by mobilizing justice ministry officials in the early hours following the decree and assessing prison capacities for potential detentions of government opponents.

Presiding Judge Lee Jin-gwan emphasized the seriousness of Park’s actions, stating that they nearly endangered fundamental rights and the democratic order within the country. Lee also criticized the former minister for disregarding warnings about the illegality of the martial law move during internal discussions. Prosecutors had recommended a 20-year sentence, arguing that Park had effectively weaponized the law to further the insurrection and undermine the rule of law.

Park had been on trial without pretrial detention but was taken into custody upon sentencing. The case forms part of a broader crackdown on Yoon and his inner circle, many of whom have faced severe penalties for their roles in the political upheaval. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo received a 15-year sentence, while ex-Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was jailed for nine years. Additionally, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to three years last week for leaking classified military information connected to the insurrection.

Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, is serving a separate four-year sentence for stock manipulation and bribery unrelated to the martial law episode. The late-night televised announcement by Yoon last December sparked widespread protests, significant market turmoil, and surprised key international allies, including the United States, intensifying an unprecedented political crisis in South Korea.