The Seoul Central District Court will deliver a landmark verdict on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in the insurrection trial of former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. The case stems from his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024, which prosecutors allege was an unconstitutional attempt to consolidate power amid nationwide protests.
Yoon, who was impeached and removed from office in 2025, faces charges under the Republic of Korea's criminal code that carry potential penalties ranging from life imprisonment to capital punishment. A special counsel team argued last month that the ex-leader orchestrated a 'systematic subversion of democratic institutions,' urging the court to impose the death penalty.
The hearing, scheduled for 3 p.m. local time, marks the culmination of a 14-month legal process that has gripped the nation. Broadcast live on major networks, the verdict is expected to have far-reaching implications for South Korea's political stability and judicial precedent.
Legal analysts note this is the first time in the ROK's modern history that a former head of state faces execution for crimes against constitutional order. The case has drawn international attention as a test of institutional resilience in one of Asia's leading democracies.
