President Yoon Suk-yeol has appealed the life imprisonment sentence handed down in the first trial for charges of leading an insurrection. [Photo: Seoul Central District Court]

President Yoon submitted his notice of appeal on the 24th to seek judgment from a higher court, as he does not accept the ruling by the Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon).

In a statement released on the same day, President Yoon's legal representatives stated, "We believe we have a responsibility to clearly point out the flaws in this ruling, not only in the court records but also in the records of history for future generations," and "Under that responsibility, we intend to clarify the errors in factual findings and misinterpretations of law that the first-instance ruling contains."

They further emphasized, "We will never remain silent about the special prosecutor's unreasonable indictment, the contradictory ruling of the first trial based on that premise, and its political background." 

Previously, the first-instance court sentenced President Yoon to life imprisonment on the 19th during the sentencing hearing for the charges of leading an insurrection.

The following is the full statement from President Yoon's legal representatives. 

The legal representatives for former President Yoon Suk-yeol submitted a notice of appeal today (the 24th) around 10 AM regarding the judgment in the case of leading an insurrection.

We believe we have a responsibility to clearly highlight the issues with this ruling, not only in the court records but also in the historical records of the future. Under this responsibility, we aim to expose the errors in factual findings and the misinterpretations of law that the first-instance judgment entails.

We will never be silent about the special prosecutor's unreasonable indictment, the contradictory ruling of the first trial based on that premise, and its political background. 

2026. 2. 24. 

Legal Representatives for Former President Yoon Suk-yeol