A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison after finding him guilty of obstructing authorities and destroying evidence following his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Yoon mobilised the presidential security service to block investigators from executing an arrest warrant related to his martial law declaration. Judges also found him guilty of fabricating official documents and bypassing the legally required cabinet process for declaring martial law.
In delivering the verdict, the court said Yoon abused his authority as president by using state security personnel to prevent lawful arrests for personal protection and gain. The ruling marks the first conviction linked to the criminal cases stemming from the martial law episode.
Yoon, 65, showed no visible reaction as the sentence was read in a packed courtroom filled with supporters. His lawyer said he would appeal, describing the decision as politicised. Prosecutors declined to say whether they would also appeal.
Yoon faces separate trials, including one in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for allegedly masterminding an insurrection by attempting to impose military rule and suspend parliament without justification.
He remains in custody at the Seoul Detention Center. Yoon has argued that declaring martial law fell within his presidential powers and said the move was intended to warn of government paralysis caused by opposition parties.
Security was tight around the court as supporters gathered outside, calling the case a political witch hunt. Yoon was arrested last year after barricading himself inside his residence, forcing authorities to deploy thousands of police officers. It was the first arrest of a sitting president in South Korea.
Parliament swiftly overturned the martial law decree and impeached Yoon. He was formally removed from office in April after the Constitutional Court ruled that he had violated his constitutional duties.
Although the martial law declaration lasted only hours, it sent shockwaves through South Korea, a major US ally and one of Asia’s largest economies. Yoon now joins a long list of former South Korean presidents who have been convicted and imprisoned.
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