South Korea’s impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of abusing power, obstructing justice and falsifying documents linked to his attempted martial law in 2024. Friday’s ruling is the first verdict in a series of four trials related to his controversial decree, which triggered nationwide protests and political unrest. The judge noted that Yoon ‘plunged the country into a political crisis’ and showed ‘no remorse’ for his actions.
Conviction details and charges
Yoon was convicted of using presidential bodyguards to prevent his arrest, failing to consult his full cabinet before declaring martial law and creating then destroying a falsified document claiming support from the prime minister and defence minister. Prosecutors had requested a 10-year sentence, while Yoon argued the arrest and investigation were legally invalid and that consulting all cabinet members was not required. Both sides now have seven days to appeal.
This ruling offers insight into Yoon’s remaining trials, which include charges ranging from abuse of power to campaign law violations. The most serious allegation, insurrection, carries a potential death sentence, with the verdict expected in February.
Yoon defiant
It comes days after prosecutors in a separate case demanded Yoon be sentenced to death for his role as the “ringleader of an insurrection” in orchestrating the imposition of martial law.
They argued Yoon deserved the severest possible punishment as he had shown “no remorse” for actions that threatened “constitutional order and democracy”.
If he is found guilty it is highly unlikely the sentence will actually be carried out, as South Korea has had an unofficial moratorium on executions since 1997.
Yoon was seen smiling in court as the prosecutors demanded the punishment.
And the former leader and top prosecutor has remained defiant, saying his martial law declaration was a lawful exercise of his presidential authority.
In closing remarks on Tuesday, he insisted the “exercise of a president’s constitutional emergency powers to protect the nation and uphold the constitutional order cannot be deemed an act of insurrection”.
He accused the then-opposition party of having imposed an “unconstitutional dictatorship” through their control of the legislature.
“There was no other option but to awaken the people, who are the sovereign.”
The court is scheduled to rule on the insurrection charges on February 19.
Yoon also faces a separate trial on charges of aiding the enemy, over allegations he ordered drone flights over North Korea to bolster his case for declaring martial law.
Public reaction and political impact
Around 100 Yoon supporters gathered outside the courthouse to watch the proceedings on a large screen. Some held banners reading ‘Yoon, again! Make Korea great again,’ while others voiced outrage at the verdict. The trials underscore South Korea’s deep political divisions, as Yoon still has a loyal following despite his failed martial law attempt. A recent survey showed nearly 30% of citizens did not consider his actions an insurrection.
Six months after the martial law attempt, voters elected opposition leader Lee Jae Myung in a decisive win. Analysts say the outcome of Yoon’s ongoing trials will further shape the nation’s political landscape and set precedents for holding leaders accountable for constitutional violations.
Yoon has been impeached, arrested and dismissed as president after his short-lived imposition of martial law triggered huge public protests calling for his removal.
Parliament, joined by some members of Yoon’s conservative party, voted within hours to overturn his surprise martial law decree, which led to his impeachment and subsequent suspension of his powers.
He was removed from office in April last year by the constitutional court that ruled he violated the duties of his office.
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