A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison after finding him guilty of obstruction of justice and other offences linked to his controversial martial law declaration and the turmoil that followed.
The ruling, delivered by Judge Baek Dae-hyun of the Seoul Central District Court, marks the first in a series of expected verdicts against the disgraced ex-leader, whose brief suspension of civilian rule on December 3, 2024, triggered nationwide protests and a tense political standoff in parliament.
Yoon, who has since been removed from office, was convicted of obstructing justice for blocking investigators from detaining him during probes into the crisis. The court also found him guilty of excluding cabinet members from key discussions surrounding the imposition of martial law.
In his judgment, Judge Baek said Yoon had failed in his constitutional responsibilities as president. “Despite having a duty, above all others, to uphold the Constitution and observe the rule of law, the defendant instead displayed an attitude that disregarded the Constitution,” he said, adding that Yoon’s culpability was “extremely grave.”
However, the court acquitted Yoon of forging official documents, citing insufficient evidence. Judge Baek noted that the former president has seven days to file an appeal.
Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison sentence, while Yoon maintained throughout the trial that he had broken no laws.
