SEOUL — A South Korean court on January 16, 2026 sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison in a landmark verdict tied to his controversial attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of obstructing authorities from executing an arrest warrant, mobilizing presidential security forces to block investigators, fabricating official documents, and violating legal procedures required for declaring martial law.
The ruling, the first in a series of criminal cases stemming from Yoon’s failed martial law bid, was delivered amid live televised proceedings. Presiding Judge Baek Dae-hyun said the former president “abused his enormous influence as president” and failed to uphold the constitution.
Yoon, who was impeached and removed from office after the six-hour martial law episode sparked mass protests and institutional pushback, has the right to appeal the decision. His legal team condemned the verdict as politically motivated.
The conviction comes as Yoon faces multiple other trials, including a separate insurrection case for which prosecutors have sought the death penalty — a charge linked to allegations he attempted to use military force to paralyze the legislature and retain power.
News as reported
