South Korea Court Jails Former President Yoon Suk-yeol for 5 Years
South Korea: Former President Yoon Suk-yeol Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison Over Martial Law Case: A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Suk-yeol to five years in prison, marking the first verdict in a series of criminal cases filed against him following his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024.
The ruling was delivered by the Seoul Central District Court, which found Yoon guilty of defying attempts to detain him, fabricating a declaration of martial law, and bypassing a legally mandated full cabinet meeting. The court said these actions seriously undermined constitutional order and democratic governance.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law last December triggered massive nationwide protests, with thousands taking to the streets demanding his resignation. The political crisis led to his impeachment, arrest, and eventual removal from office.
While Friday’s verdict addressed procedural and abuse-of-power charges, the most serious accusations against Yoon are still pending. Investigators have charged him with rebellion, alleging that the imposition of martial law was an attempt to consolidate and prolong his grip on power. An independent prosecutor has sought the death penalty in the rebellion case, with a separate ruling expected next month.
Presiding judge Baek Dae-hyun said a “severe punishment was necessary” as Yoon showed no remorse and failed to accept responsibility for his actions. The judge added that Yoon instead offered “incomprehensible excuses,” and stressed that punishment was needed to compensate for the serious damage caused to law and order.
Yoon Suk-yeol Gets 5-Year Prison Term Over Martial Law Move
Yoon has consistently defended his actions, claiming that he never intended to impose long-term military rule. According to him, the martial law order was meant only to alert the public to what he described as a threat posed by a liberal-controlled parliament, which he accused of blocking his policy agenda.
Legal experts, however, say the rebellion charge could carry far heavier punishment. Yoon could face life imprisonment or up to 30 years in jail if convicted. Although prosecutors have sought the death penalty, analysts note that South Korea has effectively observed a moratorium on executions since 1997, making a death sentence unlikely.
Criminal law expert Park Sung-bae said that while capital punishment is rare, the court could still impose a very lengthy prison term if it upholds the rebellion charges.
Yoon Suk-yeol retains the right to appeal Friday’s verdict. As of now, he has not issued a public statement in response to the ruling.
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