A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison after finding him guilty of obstructing justice in connection with events surrounding his controversial declaration of martial law.
Delivering the judgment at the Seoul Central District Court, Judge Baek Dae-hyun ruled that Yoon deliberately interfered with investigations by preventing authorities from detaining him during probes linked to the failed imposition of martial law in December 2024.
“The defendant obstructed the execution of lawful duties by blocking investigators from carrying out their responsibilities,” Judge Baek said.
The court also found Yoon guilty of excluding key cabinet members from a meeting where the martial law plan was discussed, describing the move as a serious breach of constitutional responsibility.
“Despite his primary duty as president to defend the Constitution and uphold the rule of law, the defendant showed a clear disregard for constitutional principles,” the judge stated.
“The gravity of his actions cannot be overstated.”
However, the court acquitted the former leader of charges related to forging official documents, citing insufficient evidence to support that allegation.
Yoon, who was removed from office following widespread protests and political turmoil, has seven days to file an appeal against the ruling.
Prosecutors had sought a 10-year jail term, arguing that Yoon’s actions undermined democratic governance.
The former president, however, maintained that he acted within the limits of the law and exercised legitimate presidential powers.
The sentencing comes amid a series of legal battles facing the ex-president.
In a separate case earlier this week, prosecutors demanded the death penalty, accusing Yoon of being the “mastermind of an insurrection” over the same martial law episode.
According to prosecutors, Yoon showed “no remorse” for actions they said endangered South Korea’s constitutional order and democracy.
Although capital punishment remains on the statute books, South Korea has observed an unofficial moratorium on executions since 1997.
Yoon appeared defiant throughout the proceedings. Speaking during closing arguments earlier in the week, he insisted his actions were lawful.
“The exercise of a president’s constitutional emergency powers to safeguard the nation and preserve constitutional order cannot be described as insurrection,” Yoon told the court.
He also accused the then-opposition party of abusing its parliamentary dominance, claiming there was “no alternative but to alert the people, who are the true sovereign.”
The court is expected to deliver its verdict on the insurrection charges on February 19. Yoon is also standing trial in another case over allegations that he authorised drone flights near North Korea to justify the declaration of martial law.
