Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison over his declaration of martial law in the country while he was president on Dec. 3, 2024.
Yoon was found guilty by South Korea’s Seoul Central District Court on numerous charges from his martial law decision, including the fabrication of official documents, failure to comply with the required legal process for martial law, and the obstruction of “attempts to arrest him following his failed bid to impose martial law,” according to Reuters.
The former South Korean president was scolded by Judge Baek Dae-hyun, claiming that Yoon’s martial law decree “plunged the country into political crisis.” Yoon was also criticized for consistently showing “no remorse” and only providing “hard-to-comprehend excuses.”
His violations of the law required a “grave punishment,” said the judge. It is the first of an expected four verdicts related to charges against Yoon for his martial law decree.
Yoon still faces a trial over the most serious charge against him on accusations of insurrection, multiple sources reported. A verdict for these charges in this separate trial is expected some time in February. The Washington Examiner previously reported that prosecutors in this case could seek the death penalty.
Yoon also faces other charges related to his failed martial law declaration, including violating the rights of nine cabinet members and blocking a detention warrant of South Korean investigators, according to WION.
Yoon won South Korea’s presidential election on March 9, 2022 by a slim margin, 48.56% to 47.83%. He officially became South Korea’s president on May 10, 2022.
“I learned a lot while carrying out the campaign, what is needed to be a leader of a country, how to listen carefully to the people,” Yoon said in a speech after winning the election. “This election process and competition are all for the people. Election is over now, and we need to be all one for the people and our Republic of Korea.”
PROSECUTORS SEEK DEATH PENALTY FOR SOUTH KOREAN LEADER YOON SUK YEOL
Yoon declared martial law in his country on Dec. 3 but it was met with strong opposition in his country and would eventually lead to his demise. The martial law order was unanimously rebuked by South Korea’s National Assembly in a 190-0 vote. Yoon retracted the martial law order shortly thereafter and on Dec. 7, issued an apology to the country for doing so. He would face multiple motions of impeachment later that month.
By Dec. 31, South Korea’s Western District Court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon but he failed to comply, instead remaining in the country’s presidential palace. On Jan. 15, he was officially arrested and detained at Seoul Detention Center in South Korea, being placed in solitary confinement. On April 4, 2025, Yoon’s impeachment was made official by South Korea’s Constitutional Court and removed from office.