S Korea's Ex-President Yoon Gets 5-Year Prison Term in Martial Law Case

In a landmark ruling South Korea's Seoul Central District Court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison on multiple charges stemming from his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024. The verdict marks the first conviction among eight ongoing criminal trials against the impeached and ousted leader, who has been detained since early 2025. Yoon was found guilty of obstructing justice by mobilizing the Presidential Security Service to block authorities from executing an arrest warrant, fabricating official documents to retroactively justify his actions, and bypassing required legal processes, such as convening a full cabinet meeting before imposing martial law.

The botched martial law decree, announced on December 3, 2024, lasted only about six hours before the National Assembly voted to overturn it, triggering massive protests and Yoon's eventual impeachment. The court emphasized that Yoon's actions plunged the nation into a severe political crisis, violated constitutional norms, and showed no remorse. Prosecutors had sought a 10-year sentence in this case, but the judge handed down half that term, citing the specifics of obstruction, abuse of power, and document falsification. Yoon, a former prosecutor now aged 65, has maintained that the declaration was within presidential authority to counter opposition obstruction of government functions.

This ruling is separate from Yoon's more serious insurrection trial—where special prosecutors recently demanded the death penalty for allegedly leading a rebellion by attempting to suspend parliament and impose military rule. That verdict is expected next month, with analysts suggesting a lengthy prison term or life sentence is more likely than execution, given South Korea's de facto moratorium on capital punishment since 1997. Yoon faces additional charges in other cases, including alleged drone provocations toward North Korea and interfering in military investigations.

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The decision has deepened South Korea's political divisions, with far-right supporters rallying outside the court chanting in Yoon's defense, while many citizens view it as accountability for an unprecedented assault on democracy. As Asia's fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. ally, the country has grappled with the fallout, including Yoon's removal from office in April 2025 after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment. The verdict underscores South Korea's history of holding former presidents accountable, following precedents like the imprisonment of past leaders for corruption or abuse of power.

Yoon has seven days to appeal the five-year sentence, and his legal team is expected to challenge it vigorously. With multiple trials still pending, the full legal reckoning for the martial law crisis could extend for years, shaping South Korea's democratic resilience and political landscape amid ongoing polarization.

Also Read: Yoon Suk Yeol Could Face Death Penalty in South Korea's Martial Law Insurrection Trial