Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been handed a significant five-year prison sentence by the Seoul Central District Court. This conviction stems from his involvement in a failed attempt to declare martial law, a decision that plunged the nation into a severe political crisis. Presiding Judge Baek Dae-hyun found Yoon guilty of multiple charges, including abuse of power and obstruction of justice. This verdict marks the inaugural judicial decision within the series of trials linked to the controversial martial law decree.
The events precipitating Yoon's downfall commenced on December 3, 2024, when he unilaterally declared martial law, a move that ultimately lasted only six hours. Prosecutors contend that Yoon had been orchestrating this operation since October 2023, with the explicit aim of subverting democratic institutions. Their indictment detailed allegations of Yoon seeking to leverage military force to incapacitate the legislature and seize control of the election commission. The court's condemnation highlighted Yoon's betrayal of his constitutional duties, with Judge Baek stating the accused had turned his back on safeguarding the constitution and law.
The declaration of martial law led to the deployment of police and armed military personnel to the National Assembly, igniting nationwide turmoil and widespread protests. Lawmakers were compelled to convene emergency sessions, with some accounts detailing parliamentarians scaling fences to reach the legislative building. Yoon's alleged methods extended to obstructing his own potential arrest, as hundreds of presidential security service officers reportedly formed human chains to thwart a court-issued warrant. Judge Baek further noted that the defendant abused his influence to obstruct lawful warrant execution, effectively privatising security officials.
Beyond the martial law bid, Yoon is also facing a separate, more grave insurrection trial, where prosecutors have controversially sought the death penalty. The charges in that proceeding centre on Yoon's alleged intent to employ military force to paralyze governmental functions and silence opposition. Plans purportedly documented by Yoon included preparing to inflict harm on election officials and severing power to media outlets. The gravity of these accusations is underscored by the fact that this insurrection trial is the first concerning a South Korean head of state in three decades.
The fallout from Yoon's actions was swift and decisive, leading to impeachment proceedings initiated by Members of Parliament in December 2024. This culminated in Yoon's removal from office by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. The conviction offers a significant indicator of the legal landscape surrounding Yoon's broader legal entanglements. Yoon's legal team has unequivocally stated their intention to appeal the five-year sentence.