Life Sentence for Ex-President Splits Seoul Streets in Half

Cries of "No!" erupted from 1,000 supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol gathered outside Seoul Central District Court as the live broadcast announced his life imprisonment sentence. Just 500 meters away, members of the Candlelight Action group cheered the verdict. On February 19, 2026, Seoul became two different countries for a day.

Two Koreas, One Courtyard

The moment the gavel fell, the streets revealed South Korea's deepest political fracture. Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn immediately chanted "overthrow the dictatorship" when the broadcast ended, while Jeon Han-gil, a former history instructor turned vocal Yoon supporter, declared he "could not accept this political trial."

Meanwhile, pro-conviction protesters celebrated, though some expressed disappointment that the court stopped short of the death penalty demanded by special prosecutors. Democratic Party Rep. Seo Young-kyo criticized the ruling as insufficient, noting that "hundreds of thousands of bullets had been aimed at citizens and lawmakers" during the martial law attempt.

Police deployed 1,000 personnel and lined up buses to form barriers around the court complex, mindful of the riot by Yoon supporters at Seoul Western District Court in January 2025 during his detention warrant extension.

Democracy's Double Edge

This wasn't just political theater—it reflected a fundamental question about democratic justice. For Yoon's supporters, the verdict represents political persecution of a conservative leader. For his opponents, it's democracy defending itself against authoritarian overreach. Both sides genuinely believe they're protecting "true democracy."

The international community faces a complex narrative. Prosecuting a former president for insurrection demonstrates South Korea's commitment to rule of law—a positive signal for democratic institutions. Yet the depth of social division raises concerns about political stability, particularly given South Korea's strategic importance and security challenges with North Korea.

Economically, this political uncertainty creates headwinds. Foreign investors often apply a "Korea discount" during periods of domestic turmoil, and prolonged political division could affect everything from currency stability to long-term investment confidence.

The Unfinished Reckoning

What makes this moment particularly significant is its timing. South Korea has successfully prosecuted multiple former presidents—Park Geun-hye, Lee Myung-bak, and now potentially Yoon Suk Yeol—demonstrating that no one is above the law. Yet each conviction has deepened rather than healed political wounds.

The martial law attempt on December 3, 2024, lasted only hours but exposed how quickly democratic norms can be tested. The question isn't just whether Yoon acted illegally, but whether South Korean society can process this trauma without fracturing further.