Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for five years in first verdict linked to martial law

A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison in the first verdict delivered against him over his controversial imposition of martial law in December 2024, a move that plunged the country into political turmoil and triggered massive street protests.

The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court relates to some of the criminal charges arising from Yoon’s short-lived martial law decree and his conduct after being stripped of power. It is the first judgment among eight criminal trials Yoon is currently facing.

The court convicted Yoon on charges including defying lawful attempts by authorities to detain him and abusing presidential power while enforcing the martial law order. However, the court did not rule on the most serious charge against him that of leading a rebellion, which carries a potential life sentence or the death penalty under South Korean law.

Prosecutors have argued that Yoon’s decision to impose martial law amounted to an attempt to undermine the constitutional order by using state power and security forces against democratic institutions. They allege that the former president sought to override the authority of the opposition-controlled parliament and prolong his grip on power amid political deadlock.

Under South Korean law, the crime of rebellion involves the use of armed forces or state authority to overthrow or paralyse the constitutional system . Prosecutors contend that even though Yoon’s martial law decree was quickly reversed, the act itself met the legal threshold for rebellion, prompting them to seek the harshest possible punishment, including the death penalty.

Yoon, however, has consistently denied the accusations. He maintains that he never intended to impose long-term military rule, claiming the decree was meant only to alert the public to what he described as legislative obstruction by the liberal-dominated National Assembly. His defence team has dismissed the prosecutions as politically motivated and lacking legal merit.

The martial law declaration in December 2024 sparked widespread public outrage, with tens of thousands taking to the streets demanding Yoon’s resignation. The crisis ultimately led to his impeachment by parliament, arrest, and formal removal from office.

Yoon did not immediately respond publicly to Friday’s verdict. Earlier, when an independent counsel sought a 10-year prison term for related offences, his lawyers accused investigators of pursuing an “excessive” and unjustified sentence.

Legal experts say the five-year sentence represents a significant milestone but not the end of Yoon’s legal battle. Trials on the rebellion charge and other serious allegations are still ongoing and could result in far more severe punishment if he is convicted.

The case is being closely watched in South Korea and abroad, as it raises profound questions about the limits of presidential emergency powers and the strength of the country’s democratic institutions.