Former South Korean President Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

The Seoul Central District Court has sentenced former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to five years in prison over charges related to declaring martial law in December 2024, including accusations of obstructing arrest, according to Yonhap.

This marks the first verdict against the former leader in related cases. The Korea Herald clarifies that the prosecution sought a total of ten years of imprisonment—five years for resisting arrest, two years for subsequently revising the martial law order, and three years for violating the rights of cabinet members in debates, spreading false information in foreign media, and destroying evidence.

The Chief Executive attempted to arrest Yoon Suk-yeol in early January last year after he ignored summonses for questioning in a case involving treason and insurrection three times. The court issued a request for arrest and search, but after several hours of confrontation with the Presidential Security Service, investigators suspended the arrest. Yoon was later arrested.

According to the Korea Herald, the former president has claimed that the Chief Information Officer did not have the authority to investigate the insurrection case; however, the court determined that the service acted based on valid arrest and search warrants.

Yoon Suk-yeol faces a total of eight charges. His next court session regarding the insurrection charge is scheduled for February 19. The prosecution has requested the death penalty for the former president, describing him as a coup leader aiming to maintain power by seizing control of the judicial and legislative bodies.