Former South Korean Justice Minister Park Sung-jae has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his involvement in a failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. The proposed martial law would have banned all political activity nationwide. This conviction follows a previous guilty verdict against former President Yoon Suk-Yeol for orchestrating the coup attempt. Park Sung-jae’s role involved supporting the effort to suspend democratic processes and consolidate power. The court found sufficient evidence linking him to the undemocratic power grab. This sentencing marks a significant development in the ongoing legal fallout from the attempted coup. The case highlights concerns about the fragility of democratic institutions in South Korea and accountability for those who seek to undermine them.