South Korea’s impeached former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to five years in prison after a court found him guilty of abuse of power, obstruction of justice and falsifying official documents linked to his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, marks the first verdict among four separate trials stemming from Yoon’s shock martial law decree. Although the declaration was short-lived and swiftly overturned by lawmakers, it plunged the country into political turmoil, triggering mass protests and an emergency session of parliament as MPs raced to block the move.
In his judgement, the presiding judge said Yoon’s actions had “plunged the country into political crisis” and criticised the former president for showing “no remorse” throughout the proceedings.
Friday’s verdict is widely seen as an indicator of how the remaining cases against Yoon may unfold. He faces a range of charges, including abuse of power and violations of campaign laws. The most serious of them is insurrection, for which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. A verdict in that case is expected in February.
During the sentencing, about 100 of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse, watching the livestreamed proceedings on a large screen. Some waved red banners bearing slogans such as “Yoon, again! Make Korea great again”. While a few shouted at the judge as the guilty verdict was read, others stood silently, appearing sombre.
The court found that Yoon had unlawfully used members of the presidential security detail to prevent his arrest, failed to consult the full cabinet before declaring martial law, and drafted — then destroyed — a falsified document claiming the move had been approved by the prime minister and defence minister.
“The accused had a duty to safeguard the constitution and the law, but instead turned his back on them,” the judge said.
Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison sentence for the offences ruled on Friday. Both the defence and prosecution now have seven days to file an appeal.
Yoon has consistently denied all charges. He argues that the arrest warrant issued against him was invalid and insists that the constitution does not require a president to consult every cabinet member before exercising emergency powers. Across his trials, he has maintained that investigators lacked the legal authority to probe or detain him, claiming there were no procedural flaws in his declaration of martial law.
While South Korean courts often show leniency to defendants who accept responsibility, prosecutors say Yoon’s refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing justifies harsher punishment.
Yoon is not the first former South Korean leader to face jail time. In 2021, ex-president Park Geun-hye was sentenced to 20 years in prison for abuse of power and bribery, although she was later pardoned and released.
Six months after Yoon’s failed martial law bid, South Korean voters delivered a decisive victory to opposition leader Lee Jae Myung in the presidential election. Yet Yoon’s ongoing trials continue to expose deep political divisions in the country.
Despite widespread condemnation of his actions, Yoon retains a loyal support base that views him as a political martyr. A survey conducted last December found that nearly 30 per cent of South Koreans did not believe his martial law declaration amounted to insurrection.
While tens of thousands took to the streets in protest following the decree, smaller counter-protests by Yoon’s supporters also emerged — a reminder that the fallout from his presidency continues to shape South Korea’s political landscape.
Melissa Enoch
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