A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison on charges related to his imposition of martial law in late 2024.
The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court marks the first verdict among eight criminal trials Yoon faces over the controversial decree and other allegations. The court convicted him on charges including defying authorities’ attempts to detain him.
Yoon also faces a more serious charge of leading a rebellion in connection with the martial law enforcement, which carries a potential death penalty and is yet to be ruled on.
Yoon has not publicly responded to the verdict. His legal team has previously rejected calls for a longer sentence, arguing that the charges are politically motivated and lack legal basis.
Yoon was impeached, arrested, and removed from office after his brief declaration of martial law in December 2024 sparked massive public protests. While Yoon insists the move was intended only as a warning about opposition-led parliament obstruction, investigators say it was an attempt to consolidate and extend his hold on power.
The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court marks the first verdict among eight criminal trials Yoon faces over the controversial decree and other allegations. The court convicted him on charges including defying authorities’ attempts to detain him.
Yoon also faces a more serious charge of leading a rebellion in connection with the martial law enforcement, which carries a potential death penalty and is yet to be ruled on.
Yoon has not publicly responded to the verdict. His legal team has previously rejected calls for a longer sentence, arguing that the charges are politically motivated and lack legal basis.
Yoon was impeached, arrested, and removed from office after his brief declaration of martial law in December 2024 sparked massive public protests. While Yoon insists the move was intended only as a warning about opposition-led parliament obstruction, investigators say it was an attempt to consolidate and extend his hold on power.
