South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to five years in prison.
After a Seoul court found him guilty of obstructing justice and abusing his power to shield himself from arrest over a failed martial law bid.
The ruling marks the first criminal verdict tied to his short‑lived December 2024 martial law declaration
And is a major moment for a country that has already seen several ex-presidents jailed for corruption and abuse of power.
What the court decided
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Yoon ordered the Presidential Security Service to block anti‑corruption investigators from executing a lawfully issued arrest warrant at his residence in January 2025.
Judges said he effectively “privatized” state security officers.
Also, directing them to protect his personal interests by preventing the execution of warrants and helping to destroy or tamper with evidence.
He was also found guilty of other charges linked to the martial law episode.
Including violating legal procedures required to declare an emergency rule and fabricating or altering official documents related to the decree.
Prosecutors had asked for up to 10 years, but the panel settled on five years.
Therefore, citing his lack of prior criminal record as a mitigating factor while stressing that the nature of the crimes was very bad and that he showed no remorse.
The failed martial law declaration
On the night of 3 December 2024, Yoon abruptly declared emergency martial law, citing political gridlock and what he described as obstruction of government by opposition parties.
The move suspended parts of civilian rule and shocked South Koreans, triggering huge street protests and a rapid backlash in parliament.
Within hours, the National Assembly convened and revoked the decree, and impeachment proceedings followed, ultimately forcing Yoon from office.
Investigators later alleged that Yoon not only bypassed cabinet members when planning the decree.
But also ordered aides to draft, revise, and then destroy martial law proclamations and related records after the measure was overturned.
Friday’s ruling is the first of several verdicts he faces; in a separate case, prosecutors have even sought the death penalty over accusations that the martial law declaration amounted to leading an insurrection against constitutional order.
Judge’s reasoning and Yoon’s response
Presiding Judge Baek Dae‑hyun said Yoon had a duty “above all others” as president to uphold the constitution.
And rule of law but instead used his “enormous influence” to evade legal scrutiny and obstruct official duties.
The court highlighted how security officers and senior officials were drawn into protecting Yoon personally, calling it a serious distortion of state institutions.
Yoon has consistently denied wrongdoing, arguing that declaring martial law was within presidential powers.
Also, the investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High‑ranking Officials overstepped its authority.
He has seven days to appeal, and his defense team signaled plans to challenge the verdict, saying the ruling criminalizes decisions made in a moment of political crisis.
Broader implications for South Korea
The sentence reinforces South Korea’s pattern of holding former leaders legally accountable.
Following past convictions of presidents Park Geun‑hye, Lee Myung‑bak, and others on corruption and abuse‑of‑power charges.
Legal analysts say the ruling sends a strong signal that any attempt to bend security agencies or emergency powers for personal survival, even in a crisis, will face harsh scrutiny in court.
Politically, the case will influence upcoming trials, including the more serious insurrection proceedings.
And may deepen partisan divides between Yoon’s conservative base and opponents who pushed for his removal.
Internationally, the verdict is likely to be seen as another example of South Korea’s judiciary acting as a robust check on executive overreach, even at the highest level of power.
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