Ex-President of South Korea Sentenced to 5 Years in Martial Law Case

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Five Years in Jail

A Seoul Central District Court has handed down a five-year prison sentence to former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was found guilty on charges related to his declaration of martial law in December 2024. The ruling was made public during a live broadcast.

Yoon was convicted on charges that include obstructing authorities from executing an arrest warrant, fabricating official documents, and failing to comply with the legal process required to impose martial law. This verdict is part of a range of criminal charges Yoon faces in connection with his declaration of martial law.

Judge Baek Dae-hyun delivered the ruling, stating that Yoon had failed to uphold the Constitution and observe the rule of law as president. The judge noted that Yoon’s actions “disregarded the Constitution.”

Yoon has seven days to appeal the verdict. One of his lawyers, Yoo Jung-hwa, stated that the former president would appeal the decision.

Outside the court, supporters of Yoon gathered and chanted in protest of the verdict. Al Jazeera reporter Jack Barton noted that Yoon still faces a more serious charge of insurrection, which carries a death sentence. Barton also mentioned that this verdict is related to an ongoing trial for insurrection, with an expected verdict in February.

Yoon was previously impeached, arrested, and dismissed as president after his short-lived imposition of martial law in 2024, which triggered public protests calling for his removal. Yoon has maintained that he broke no laws and argued in court that declaring martial law was within his presidential powers to address opposition party obstruction.

Source: Al Jazeera