📰Today’s article
Title
Life Imprisonment for Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
韓国の尹錫悦前大統領に終身刑
Article
| English | Japanese |
| South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol has been jailed for life for an insurrection involving military rule. A Seoul court ruled that Yoon damaged democracy by deploying troops to the National Assembly and ordering the arrest of politicians on December 3, 2024. Judge Ji Gwi-yeon stated that Yoon’s actions deserved a very harsh punishment for his crimes. | 韓国の尹錫悦（ユン・ソンニョル）前大統領は、軍事支配を伴う内乱のために終身刑を言い渡されました。ソウルの裁判所は、2024年12月3日に軍隊を国会に配備し、政治家の逮捕を命じたことで、尹氏が民主主義を毀損したと裁定しました。ジ・グィヨン裁判官は、尹氏の行動はその犯罪に対して非常に厳しい処罰に値すると述べました。 |
| Although prosecutors sought the death penalty, the court chose life imprisonment. This martial law order left the nation deeply polarized. Outside the court, many supporters gathered with banners and cried after the verdict. Meanwhile, anti-Yoon protesters rallied for a death sentence. Yoon showed no emotion, but his lawyers claimed the verdict lacked evidence and followed a script. | 検察は死刑を求刑しましたが、裁判所は終身刑を選択しました。この戒厳令は国を深く二極化させました。裁判所の外では、多くの支持者が横断幕を持って集まり、判決後に涙を流しました。一方、反尹氏の抗議者たちは死刑を求めて集会を開きました。尹氏は感情を表に出しませんでしたが、彼の弁護士たちは判決には証拠が欠けており、台本に従ったものだと主張しました。 |
| Yoon originally declared martial law to protect the country from “anti-state” forces. However, he faced domestic troubles, including an opposition-led parliament and corruption allegations involving his wife. Lawmakers overturned the order within hours. This led to months of political chaos and the impeachment of Yoon, along with several indictments against him and other high-ranking government officials. | 尹氏は元々、「反国家」勢力から国を守るために戒厳令を宣言しました。しかし、彼は野党主導の議会や妻を巻き込んだ汚職疑惑など、国内のトラブルに直面していました。議員たちは数時間以内にその命令を覆しました。このことは数ヶ月にわたる政治的混乱と尹氏の弾劾につながり、さらに彼や他の政府高官に対するいくつかの起訴をもたらしました。 |
| Other officials also received long prison sentences for their roles in the insurrection. Former prime minister Han Duck-soo was jailed for 23 years, and ex-defense minister Kim Yong-hyun received 30 years. Additional leaders, including the former interior minister and police chief, were also jailed. Judge Ji called Yoon the “insurrectionist leader” who shook the nation’s foundations. | 他の当局者たちも、内乱での彼らの役割のために長期の禁固刑を受けました。ハン・ドクス前首相は23年の禁固刑を受け、キム・ヨンヒョン前国防相は30年を受けました。前内務相や警察庁長官を含む追加の指導者たちも投獄されました。ジ裁判官は、尹氏を国の基盤を揺るがした「内乱の指導者」と呼びました。 |
| Yoon defended his actions, claiming he had authority to protect the nation’s sovereignty. However, the ruling Democratic Party criticized the court for not choosing the death penalty. Party leader Jung Chung-rae said the decision was “deeply unsatisfactory and unacceptable.” While some expect a future pardon, Yoon still faces three more related trials while serving his life sentence. | 尹氏は、自分には国の主権を守る権限があったと主張し、自身の行動を正当化しました。しかし、与党の共に民主党は、裁判所が死刑を選択しなかったことを批判しました。党首のチョン・チョンレ氏は、その決定は「深く不満であり、受け入れられない」と述べました。一部の人々は将来の恩赦を予想していますが、尹氏は終身刑に服しながらも、まださらに3つの関連する裁判に直面しています。 |
📘Vocabulary
- insurrection – noun
- Meaning: a violent attempt to take control of a government.
- Example: The rebels planned a massive insurrection to overthrow the current government.
- 意味: 内乱
- 例文: 反乱軍は現在の政府を打倒するために大規模な内乱を計画した。
- polarize – verb
- Meaning: to divide people into two completely opposite groups.
- Example: The controversial new policy will polarize the citizens of the country.
- 意味: 二極化させる
- 例文: その物議を醸す新しい政策は、国の市民を二極化させるだろう。
- impeachment – noun
- Meaning: the formal process of accusing a public official of a serious crime.
- Example: The president faced an impeachment after the scandal was revealed to the public.
- 意味: 弾劾
- 例文: そのスキャンダルが公に暴露された後、大統領は弾劾に直面した。
- indictment – noun
- Meaning: a formal written statement accusing someone of a crime.
- Example: The grand jury issued an indictment against the corrupt politician.
- 意味: 起訴
- 例文: 大陪審は腐敗した政治家に対して起訴状を発行した。
- sovereignty – noun
- Meaning: the power of a country to control its own government.
- Example: The small island nation fought bravely to maintain its political sovereignty.
- 意味: 主権
- 例文: その小さな島国は、自国の政治的主権を維持するために勇敢に戦った。
📝Let’s summarize
| Summary | 要約 |
| Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received a life sentence for an insurrection related to his martial law declaration. The court ruled his actions damaged democracy, leading to his impeachment and severe punishments for other involved government officials. | 韓国の尹錫悦前大統領は、自身の戒厳令宣言に関連する内乱により終身刑を受けました。裁判所は彼の行動が民主主義を毀損したと裁定し、それが彼の弾劾と他の関与した政府高官に対する厳しい処罰につながりました。 |
| [Word Count: 39 words] |
❓Comprehension Questions
Q1: How did Yoon Suk Yeol damage democracy according to a Seoul court?
A. He deployed troops to the National Assembly and ordered the arrest of politicians.
B. He planned a violent insurrection to protect the nation from the opposition party.
C. He organized a large protest outside the court with many of his supporters.
D. He criticized the ruling party for not choosing the death penalty for officials.
問1: ソウルの裁判所によると、尹錫悦氏はどのようにして民主主義を毀損しましたか？
Correct answer: A
正解選択肢: 彼は軍隊を国会に配備し、政治家の逮捕を命じた。
該当文: A Seoul court ruled that Yoon damaged democracy by deploying troops to the National Assembly and ordering the arrest of politicians on December 3, 2024.
Q2: What kind of domestic troubles did Yoon Suk Yeol face before the martial law?
A. He struggled with an economic crisis and a sudden increase in violent crimes.
B. He dealt with an opposition-led parliament and corruption allegations involving his wife.
C. He lost the support of his prime minister and the former defense minister.
D. He faced a severe backlash from the international community regarding his political decisions.
問2: 戒厳令の前に、尹錫悦氏はどのような国内のトラブルに直面していましたか？
Correct answer: B
正解選択肢: 彼は野党主導の議会と妻を巻き込んだ汚職疑惑に対処した。
該当文: However, he faced domestic troubles, including an opposition-led parliament and corruption allegations involving his wife.
Q3: What punishments did the former prime minister and ex-defense minister receive?
A. The court decided to give both of them a life sentence in prison.
B. They were completely pardoned because they followed the orders from the insurrectionist leader.
C. The former prime minister received twenty-three years and the ex-defense minister received thirty years.
D. They were sentenced to the death penalty by the ruling Democratic Party immediately.
問3: 前首相と前国防相はどのような処罰を受けましたか？
Correct answer: C
正解選択肢: 前首相は23年を受け、前国防相は30年を受けた。
該当文: Former prime minister Han Duck-soo was jailed for 23 years, and ex-defense minister Kim Yong-hyun received 30 years.
💬Today’s your thoughts
Question
Do you think a life sentence is an appropriate punishment for a national leader who damages democracy?
民主主義を毀損する国家指導者に対して、終身刑は適切な処罰だと思いますか？
Model Answer – 1（肯定的立場）
| English | Japanese |
| I believe that a life sentence is an appropriate punishment for a leader who damages democracy. | 私は、民主主義を毀損する指導者に対して終身刑は適切な処罰であると信じています。 |
| Firstly, strict punishments successfully deter future abuses of power. This is because national leaders hold immense authority. For instance, punishing a president who illegally uses military force shows that nobody is above the law. Consequently, this protects democratic institutions. | 第一に、厳しい処罰は将来の権力の乱用を首尾よく抑止します。これは、国家指導者が絶大な権威を保持しているためです。例えば、軍事力を不法に使用する大統領を処罰することは、誰も法の上にいないことを示します。結果として、これは民主主義の制度を保護します。 |
| In addition, a severe penalty brings justice to the citizens who suffered. People rely on the democratic process for their safety. For example, arresting politicians unjustly creates fear in society. Thus, a life sentence restores peace and fairness. | さらに、厳しい刑罰は苦しんだ市民に正義をもたらします。人々は自分たちの安全のために民主的なプロセスに依存しています。例えば、政治家を不当に逮捕することは社会に恐怖を生み出します。したがって、終身刑は平和と公正さを回復させます。 |
| In conclusion, I strongly support giving a life sentence to such leaders. It ensures legal accountability and helps rebuild a stable society for everyone. | 結論として、私はそのような指導者に終身刑を与えることを強く支持します。それは法的な説明責任を確実にし、すべての人のために安定した社会を再建するのに役立ちます。 |
| [Word Count: 117 words] |
Model Answer – 2（否定的立場）
| English | Japanese |
| I do not think a life sentence is always an appropriate punishment for damaging democracy. | 私は、民主主義を毀損することに対して終身刑が常に適切な処罰であるとは思いません。 |
| Firstly, life imprisonment might increase political divisions within the country. Supporters of the convicted leader will feel extremely angry. For instance, sending a former president to prison forever often causes massive protests. As a result, national unity is destroyed. | 第一に、終身刑は国内の政治的対立を増加させるかもしれません。有罪判決を受けた指導者の支持者は非常に怒りを感じるでしょう。例えば、元大統領を永遠に刑務所に送ることは、しばしば大規模な抗議活動を引き起こします。結果として、国民の結束が破壊されます。 |
| In addition, non-violent political crimes should focus on democratic rehabilitation rather than permanent punishment. Extreme penalties are usually for murderers. For example, banning the leader from politics permanently is a practical alternative. Consequently, society avoids unnecessary emotional conflicts. | さらに、非暴力的な政治的犯罪は、永久的な処罰よりも民主的な更生に焦点を当てるべきです。極端な刑罰は通常、殺人者のためのものです。例えば、指導者を永久に政治から追放することは現実的な代替案です。結果として、社会は不必要な感情的対立を避けます。 |
| In conclusion, I oppose life sentences for these political crimes. Alternative punishments can effectively protect the government without creating deeper hatred among the citizens. | 結論として、私はこれらの政治的犯罪に対する終身刑に反対します。代替の処罰は、市民の間にさらに深い憎しみを生み出すことなく、政府を効果的に保護することができます。 |
| [Word Count: 116 words] |
News Source: BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx28y8xd1vjo