Seoul: Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following a conviction for his central role in an insurrection linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration. The Seoul Central District Court delivered the verdict, which exceeded the 20-year sentence sought by the special counsel team led by Cho Eun-suk. The court ordered Park's immediate detention, citing risks of evidence tampering.

According to Philippines News Agency, Park was indicted on charges of insurrection and abuse of power after convening a meeting of senior ministry officials in the wake of Yoon's martial law announcement on December 3, 2024. The court upheld the charges, agreeing with the special counsel's position that Park coordinated efforts to dispatch prosecutors to a martial law-supporting body, evaluate correctional facilities' capacities to detain political figures, and instruct officials responsible for enforcing travel bans to remain on duty.

The court noted that Park violated his constitutional duties by participating in the insurrection, joining other convicted Cabinet members such as former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Yoon himself received a life sentence in February for leading the martial law initiative but has appealed the decision.

While dismissing additional charges against Park related to anti-graft law violations, the court ruled these were outside the special counsel's investigation scope. Park's legal team announced plans to appeal the sentence, claiming it lacked factual and legal grounding. Meanwhile, the special counsel team indicated satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing the justice minister's responsibility to oppose unlawful martial law declarations and protect the constitutional framework.