South Korean Ex-Leader Yeol Jailed For Five Years In First Martial Law Verdict

A South Korean judge on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for obstructing justice and other offences linked to his controversial declaration of martial law and the turmoil that followed.

The ruling marks the first in a series of verdicts against the disgraced former leader, whose brief suspension of civilian rule on December 3, 2024 triggered mass protests and a political showdown in parliament. Yoon has since been removed from office and faces multiple trials connected to the incident and its aftermath.

Judge Baek Dae-hyun of the Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of obstruction of justice for blocking investigators from detaining him. He was also convicted of excluding cabinet members from a meeting where the martial law plan was discussed.

“Despite having a duty, above all others, to uphold the Constitution and observe the rule of law as president, the defendant instead displayed an attitude that disregarded the Constitution,” the judge said, adding that Yoon’s culpability was “extremely grave.”

However, the court acquitted Yoon of charges related to forging official documents, citing insufficient evidence. He has seven days to file an appeal.

Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison sentence, while Yoon maintained throughout the trial that he had broken no law.

The verdict comes just days after prosecutors, in a separate case, demanded that Yoon be sentenced to death for allegedly acting as the “ringleader of an insurrection” by orchestrating the martial law declaration. They argued that he showed no remorse for actions that threatened South Korea’s constitutional order and democracy.

Although capital punishment remains on the books in South Korea, the country has observed an unofficial moratorium on executions since 1997. Yoon appeared unfazed in court as prosecutors called for the harshest possible sentence.

In closing arguments earlier in the week, Yoon insisted that declaring martial law was a lawful use of presidential emergency powers, rejecting claims of insurrection. He accused the then-opposition party of imposing an “unconstitutional dictatorship” through its control of the legislature, saying his actions were meant to “awaken the people.”

The court is expected to deliver a ruling on the insurrection charges on February 19. Yoon also faces a separate trial on allegations of aiding the enemy, stemming from claims that he ordered drone flights over North Korea to justify declaring martial law.