Martial law declaration: South Korea ex-president sentenced to five years in prison; Yoon Suk Yeol facing multiple trials

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday for obstructing attempts to arrest him and for violating legal procedures linked to his failed declaration of martial law in December 2024.The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Yoon abused his presidential authority by mobilising the presidential security service to block investigators from executing a lawful arrest warrant, interfering with the justice system to protect himself.In the televised ruling, the three-judge panel said Yoon also fabricated official documents related to the martial law decree and failed to comply with constitutional requirements, including holding a formal Cabinet meeting before imposing such an extraordinary measure.

Under South Korean law, martial law must be discussed and approved through established legal procedures, which the court said Yoon deliberately sidestepped.“The defendant abused his enormous influence as president to prevent the execution of legitimate warrants,” the lead was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.The judge also added that Yoon’s actions undermined democratic institutions and the rule of law.

The ruling marks the first court judgment tied to the criminal cases stemming from Yoon’s brief but explosive attempt to impose martial law, which ultimately led to his impeachment and removal from office.Yoon, a former prosecutor, listened silently as the sentence was read out. Now 65, he appeared noticeably thinner than during earlier court appearances and showed no visible reaction as the five-year prison term was announced.The courtroom was packed with supporters, some of whom continued to insist that Yoon was unfairly targeted for political reasons.Outside the court, Yoon’s lawyer, Yoo Jung-hwa confirmed that the former president would appeal the ruling, describing the verdict as “politicised.” Prosecutors declined to comment on whether they would also appeal, a right available to them under South Korean law.

Separate case may determine Yoon’s ultimate fate

While Friday’s sentence is significant, it may ultimately be overshadowed by a far more serious case still pending.Prosecutors have asked the court in a separate trial to impose the death penalty on Yoon for allegedly masterminding an insurrection by declaring martial law without justification and attempting to suspend parliamentary functions.Yoon has consistently denied wrongdoing, arguing that the constitution gave him the authority to declare martial law and that his move was intended only to warn the public about what he described as obstruction by opposition-controlled parties in parliament.Investigators, however, say the decree was an attempt to strengthen and prolong his hold on power.Yoon is currently being held at the Seoul Detention Center on the outskirts of the capital. He could have faced up to 10 years in prison in the obstruction case alone, related to an incident in January last year when he barricaded himself inside his residential compound and ordered security personnel to block investigators.His arrest, carried out on a second attempt involving more than 3,000 police officers, was the first-ever arrest of a sitting South Korean president.

Tight security as supporters gather outside court

Security around the court was tight on Friday, with dozens of police officers deployed as a small group of Yoon’s supporters gathered nearby holding placards calling the case a political witch hunt, Reuters reported.Some signs read, “History will be the judge,” while others insisted Yoon remained the legitimate president.Although Yoon’s martial law declaration lasted only about six hours, it sent shockwaves through South Korea, a key US ally and one of Asia’s largest economies, long regarded as a stable and resilient democracy.