SEOUL, South Korea — In a landmark judicial decision, South Korea’s Seoul Central District Court has imposed a five-year prison term on former President Yoon Suk Yeol. This verdict, delivered on Friday, represents the initial outcome in a series of eight criminal proceedings against the ousted leader, stemming primarily from his controversial imposition of martial law in December 2024.
The court convicted Yoon on multiple charges including obstruction of justice by resisting detention orders, falsification of official documents related to the martial law proclamation, and circumventing legally required full Cabinet approval procedures. Presiding Judge Baek Dae-hyun emphasized during the televised ruling that severe punishment was warranted due to Yoon’s demonstrated lack of remorse and his continued presentation of ‘hard-to-comprehend excuses’ regarding his actions.
This sentencing occurs against the backdrop of more serious pending charges, notably a rebellion case where prosecutors have sought the death penalty. Independent counsel alleges that Yoon’s martial law declaration constituted an attempted rebellion aimed at consolidating and extending his presidential authority. The rebellion trial verdict, expected next month, could potentially result in life imprisonment or capital punishment despite South Korea’s de facto moratorium on executions since 1997.
Yoon’s defense team has previously characterized prosecution demands as politically motivated and legally unfounded. The former president maintains that his martial law decree was merely intended to alert citizens about parliamentary obstructionism rather than establish prolonged military rule. Legal experts suggest that while the death penalty appears unlikely given the absence of casualties and brief duration of martial law, substantial prison terms across multiple cases remain probable.