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On Friday, January 16, a South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison on some of the charges related to his declaration of martial law.
This was reported by the Associated Press.
The ruling marks Yoon’s first conviction among eight criminal cases linked to the decree he issued in late 2024, as well as other allegations.
According to the report, the most serious charge against Yoon is that he led an insurrection in connection with the imposition of martial law, an offense that carries the possibility of the death penalty. In this particular case, however, the Seoul Central District Court on Friday found him guilty on other charges, including defying attempts by authorities to detain him.
Yoon has not yet commented publicly on the verdict. Earlier, when an independent prosecutor sought a 10-year prison sentence on these charges, Yoon’s defense team said the request was politically motivated and lacked legal grounds for such a severe punishment.
Background to the case of South Korea’s former president
On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a state of emergency and imposed martial law, accusing the opposition of “anti-state activities.” In response, parliament adopted a resolution to lift the measure, after which the military attempted to arrest opposition leaders. The cabinet quickly approved a request to revoke martial law, which remained in force for about six hours.
Opposition figures called on the president to resign immediately, threatening impeachment. On December 5, 2024, South Korean police launched an investigation into Yoon on suspicion of treason, and a criminal case was opened against him the following day. Yoon later apologized to the public for his decision, but at that time parliament failed to approve his impeachment.
Subsequently, Yoon was formally charged with treason following numerous complaints. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said his party would push for a renewed impeachment vote. Yoon was also banned from leaving the country, while the ruling party discussed the possibility of his resignation in February and early elections in April or May. Parliament later passed an impeachment bill, but Yoon vowed to “fight for his political future.”
On December 6, 2024, the Constitutional Court began hearings on the impeachment case, and investigators sought to question Yoon. He ignored summonses twice. On January 3, investigators entered his residence to arrest him, but the attempt was halted after protests. Authorities later prepared a second arrest attempt after Yoon again ignored summonses and barricaded himself inside the residence. On January 15, investigators arrested the temporarily suspended president for the first time in South Korean history, though he refused to testify. On January 18, Yoon appeared in court to challenge the decision allowing his detention.
