South Korea Crisis: A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for crimes linked to his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. The verdict, delivered on Friday by the Seoul Central District Court, is the first ruling connected to the criminal cases that followed the controversial episode.
South Korea Crisis: Court Says Yoon Suk Yeol Misused Presidential Power
The court found that Yoon abused his authority by directing the presidential security service to block investigators who were trying to execute a lawfully issued arrest warrant. The warrant was part of an investigation into his sudden declaration of martial law.
During the televised proceedings, judges also held Yoon guilty of fabricating official documents and failing to follow the legal process required to impose martial law.
Explaining the ruling, the lead judge said, “The defendant abused his enormous influence as president to prevent the execution of legitimate warrants through officials from the Security Service, which effectively privatised officials ... loyal to the Republic of Korea for personal safety and personal gain.”
South Korea Crisis: Defence Rejects Ruling, Plans Appeal to Yoon Suk Yeol
Moments after the verdict, Yoon’s lawyer Yoo Jung-hwa said the former president would challenge the decision. “We express regret that the decision was made in a politicised manner,” she said.
Yoon has repeatedly denied all charges. He has maintained that declaring martial law was within his constitutional authority and claimed the move was intended to highlight what he described as obstruction by opposition parties. He has also rejected accusations that he obstructed his own arrest.
South Korea Crisis: Dramatic Arrest of Yoon Suk Yeol After Police Standoff
The obstruction charges relate to events in January last year, when Yoon allegedly barricaded himself inside his residence and ordered security staff to prevent investigators from entering. An initial attempt to detain him failed.
Authorities later launched a massive second operation involving more than 3,000 police officers, eventually taking Yoon into custody. The arrest marked a historic moment, as he became the first sitting president in South Korea to be arrested.
South Korea Crisis: Serious Charges on Yoon Suk Yeol Still Ahead
While Yoon has been sentenced to five years in prison in this case, his legal battle is far from over. In a separate trial, he faces accusations of masterminding an insurrection by declaring martial law without proper justification. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
South Korea Ex President Yoon Suk Yeol Impeachment Followed Swiftly
Yoon’s martial law order lasted only about six hours, but it plunged the country into a political crisis. Parliament, including members from his own conservative party, quickly voted to overturn the decree. Lawmakers then moved to impeach him, suspending his presidential powers.
In April last year, South Korea’s Constitutional Court formally removed Yoon from office, ruling that he had violated the duties of the presidency.
A Blow to South Korea’s Democratic Image
The failed martial law bid sent shockwaves through South Korea, a nation known as Asia’s fourth-largest economy, a key U.S. ally, and one of the region’s strongest democracies. The episode raised serious concerns about the misuse of executive power and left a lasting impact on the country’s political landscape.