Yoon Suk-yeol Denounces Insurrection Verdict as People Power Party Maintains Support for Ousted Leader

Ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol denounces a court verdict labeling his 2024 martial law an insurrection, while the PPP faces internal strife over his legacy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 23, 2026, 7:16 AM EST

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Diplomat

The Judicial Ruling and Presidential Rejection

The Seoul Central District Court issued a definitive verdict this week, concluding that the attempted suspension of constitutional norms in late 2024 constituted a criminal insurrection. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol immediately released a statement through his legal team, arguing that the judicial process has been compromised by partisan interests. He maintains that his deployment of the military was a legitimate exercise of executive power intended to address internal threats to the republic. This legal battle represents the most significant constitutional challenge in modern South Korean history, as the judiciary asserts its role in upholding democratic guardrails against executive overreach.

Loyalty and Fracture Within the People Power Party

The People Power Party finds itself at a critical crossroads as leadership figures remain deeply divided over their relationship with the ousted president. While a vocal faction of the party continues to defend Yoon, others argue that his legacy has become a permanent liability that could alienate the general electorate for years to come. This internal struggle has stalled legislative progress and created a vacuum in the conservative movement, as members debate whether to purge the party of those involved in the martial law plot. The refusal of many lawmakers to distance themselves from the insurrection verdict suggests a deep ideological rift that may not be resolved before the next election cycle.

Historical Context of the 2024 Martial Law Crisis

The current political instability is rooted in the events of December 2024, when the executive branch attempted to seize control through military force, leading to the rapid intervention of the National Assembly. Although the attempt was thwarted within hours by lawmakers and widespread public protests, the legal and social consequences are still being felt in 2026. This period is now viewed as a turning point for South Korean democratic resilience, highlighting the strength of the nation’s checks and balances. The ongoing court cases are intended to provide a definitive historical record of these events while ensuring that such a breach of the constitution never occurs again.