South Korea’s Former President Yoon Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

Seoul: A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for obstructing justice and other offences linked to his brief declaration of martial law and its aftermath, according to an international media report.

Judge Baek Dae-hyun of Seoul’s Central District Court ruled on Friday that Yoon obstructed justice by preventing investigators from detaining him. The court also found him guilty of excluding cabinet members from a meeting related to planning the martial law declaration.

The verdict marks the first in a series of legal cases facing the former leader, whose suspension of civilian rule on December 3, 2024 sparked mass protests and a political crisis that ultimately led to his removal from office. He is facing multiple trials over actions taken during the episode and the subsequent unrest.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Baek said Yoon had failed in his fundamental duty as president to uphold the constitution and the rule of law, adding that his culpability was “extremely grave.”

However, the court acquitted Yoon of forging official documents, citing insufficient evidence.

Yoon has seven days to file an appeal. Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison sentence, while Yoon has maintained that he did not violate any laws.