Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison Friday by the Seoul Central District Court after being found guilty of multiple charges, including attempting to obstruct his arrest and fabricating official documents related to his controversial martial law declaration in December 2024.
The televised proceedings marked one of the most significant and sensitive political trials in recent South Korean history. Yoon’s conviction stems from accusations that he violated constitutional procedures by unilaterally announcing martial law without proper cabinet consultation and mobilizing security forces to block his arrest following impeachment.
Presiding Judge Baek Dee-hyun emphasized that martial law could only be implemented under exceptional circumstances and with proper constitutional procedures, which Yoon allegedly failed to follow. The court also found that Yoon infringed on investigators’ rights and obstructed justice by evading arrest last January.
Yoon, the first sitting South Korean president to be indicted and detained, faces multiple other court cases, including charges of insurrection that could potentially carry the death penalty if he is convicted.
His lawyers have announced plans to appeal the ruling. The former president’s short-lived administration was marred by widespread protests and declining approval ratings, culminating in his impeachment and detention.
