South Korea's former president has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of attempting to impose martial law, a dramatic conclusion to a scandal that has shaken one of Asia's most stable democracies. The verdict, delivered by a Seoul court Thursday, marks the most severe punishment ever handed to a South Korean head of state.

The Martial Law Crisis

The former president was arrested in December following an extraordinary 24-hour period in which he declared emergency military rule, alleging without evidence that the opposition had become too sympathetic to North Korea. The move was immediately condemned as an attempted coup.

Within hours, opposition lawmakers scaled the National Assembly building to hold an emergency session, voting overwhelmingly to overturn the martial law declaration. The president reversed his order, but the damage was done his political career was finished and criminal charges swiftly followed.

Court Finds Abuse of Power

In its ruling, the court found the former president guilty of multiple charges including insurrection, abuse of power, and obstruction of parliamentary proceedings. The life sentence reflects the gravity of attempting to subvert South Korea's democratic institutions.

The defendant's actions represented a fundamental threat to constitutional democracy, the presiding judge stated. Such conduct cannot be tolerated in a free society.

Political Fallout Continues

The crisis has plunged South Korea into political turmoil, with snap presidential elections scheduled for later this year. The ruling conservative party has splintered, while opposition progressives have consolidated support.

Analysts say the episode has tested South Korean democracy in ways not seen since the country's authoritarian era ended in the late 1980s.

Regional Implications

The verdict has been closely watched across Asia, where concerns about democratic backsliding have grown in recent years. Japan's prime minister issued a statement praising South Korea's commitment to rule of law.

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