Yoon Suk Yeol
Also known as 윤석열, Yoon Suk-yeol
Yoon Suk Yeol is a former president of South Korea whose government released a Digital Bill of Rights in September 2023 and who co-hosted the AI Seoul Summit in May 2024. He studied law at Seoul National University, served as prosecutor general from 2019, and resigned in March 2021. He won the presidential election in March 2022. In September 2024 he set a target, at the launch of the Presidential Committee on AI, for South Korea to become one of the world's top three in artificial intelligence. The Constitutional Court removed him from office in April 2025, and as of October 2026 a life sentence for insurrection is on appeal.
Timeline
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1960–1988
Law degrees in Seoul
He is born in Seoul in 1960. In 1983 he completes a law degree at Seoul National University, and in 1988 he completes a master's degree in law there.
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2016–2021
Prosecutor general of Korea
In 2016 he leads the special investigation into President Park Geun-hye's corruption scandal. In 2017 he becomes chief of the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office. Appointment as prosecutor general comes in 2019, and he resigns in March 2021.
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March 2022
Winning the presidency
He wins the presidential election in March 2022.
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September 2023
A digital bill of rights
In September 2023 he introduces South Korea's Digital Bill of Rights.
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May 2024
The AI Seoul Summit
In May 2024 he co-hosts the AI Seoul Summit with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Leaders adopt the Seoul Declaration on safe, innovative and inclusive artificial intelligence.
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September 2024
A presidential AI committee
In September 2024, at the launch of the Presidential Committee on AI, he sets a target for South Korea to become one of the world's top three in artificial intelligence.
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April 2025
Removed from the presidency
In April 2025 the Constitutional Court unanimously upholds his impeachment and removes him from office.
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Since February 2026
A life sentence on appeal
In February 2026 a court sentences him to life imprisonment for insurrection. As of October 2026 the case is on appeal.
Sources and credits
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- Yoon Suk Yeol - Wikipedia
- Chronology of major events in President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's biography | Yonhap News Agency
- Blueprint for Korea's Leap to Become One of the Top Three Global AI Powerhouse (AI G3)
- Yoon says fake news threatens freedom, elections at AI Safety Summit - The Korea Herald
- Global leaders vow to promote safe, inclusive AI at Seoul summit - The Korea Herald
- (2nd LD) AI Seoul Summit adopts joint ministerial statement on safe, innovative, inclusive AI | Yonhap News Agency
- S. Korea vows all-out efforts to become global AI powerhouse | Yonhap News Agency
- Korea aims to rank among top 3 global AI powerhouses - The Korea Times
- Prosecutors press 30-year prison term for ex-president in appeals trial | Aju Press
- (3rd LD) Appeals court acquits ex-President Yoon in 'free opinion polls' case | Yonhap News Agency
- Yoon Suk Yeol's Insurrection Appeal Trial Expected to Conclude in Early November | Aju Press