South Korea's ex-President Yoon apologises after life sentence over martial law

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the Seoul Central District Court, for his sentencing trial in his insurrection case, stemming from his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, in this screen grab provided by the Seoul Central District Court, February 19, 2026. Yonhap via REUTERS

SEOUL, Feb 20 (Reuters) - ⁠Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologised on Friday for his ⁠short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024, a day after a ‌Seoul court sentenced him to life in prison for masterminding an insurrection.

In a statement released by his lawyers, Yoon said that while he was sorry for the "frustration and hardship" brought upon the people ​by his martial law decree, he stood behind the "sincerity ⁠and purpose" behind his actions.