South Korea's Former President Yoon Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol receives five-year prison sentence for obstruction of justice and martial law attempt in unprecedented legal case.
Former South Korean President sentenced to 5 years in prison
Former South Korean President sentenced to 5 years in prison
Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to five years in prison
In a landmark judicial decision, a court in South Korea has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in jail after finding him guilty on charges stemming from his declaration of martial law in December 2024. The verdict marks a critical moment in the country's recent political history, highlighting the consequences of executive overreach.
The Martial Law Crisis
On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law during a televised address, accusing the Democratic Party of conducting "anti-state activities" and collaborating with "North Korean communists." The order prohibited political activities, including gatherings of the National Assembly and local legislatures, and suspended the free press.
Constitutional Violations
The court found that Yoon mobilized presidential security officials to block authorities from executing a lawful arrest warrant at his residence. He was also found to have infringed on the rights of nine cabinet members by convening only a limited number of handpicked ministers in an apparent attempt to make the martial law meeting appear official.
Judicial Rebuke
Judge Baek Dae-hyun of the Seoul Central District Court strongly criticized Yoon, stating that "Despite having a greater duty than anyone else as president to uphold the Constitution, he instead disregarded measures designed to prevent presidential arbitrariness."
Ongoing Legal Battles
The former president is currently standing trial in a total of eight cases, including charges related to martial law, his wife's alleged corruption, and the 2023 death of a Marine. In a separate trial, prosecutors have even sought the death penalty, arguing that his alleged actions posed a grave threat to the constitutional order.
Political Fallout
Yoon was initially detained in January 2025 and held for 52 days before being released and then detained again in July. He was impeached from office in April 2025, leading to unprecedented constitutional scenarios in the succession of acting presidents.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Korea Herald,
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