The court found that he abused his position, forged documents, and obstructed justice during the failed attempt to impose military rule.
What you should know
Former South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol has been sentenced to five years in prison for abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
The court ruled on Friday that Yun abused his power, forged documents and obstructed justice during a failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024.
According to the international media outlet BBC, this is the first of four different cases against Yun, who was removed from office through impeachment. His martial law move in December 2024 plunged South Korea into a major political crisis. Immediately after his announcement, lawmakers reached the parliament building and overturned the decision, and protests against him flared up across the country.
In his ruling, the judge noted that Yun's move had pushed the country into political instability and that he had shown no remorse for his mistakes. Yun was found guilty of using presidential bodyguards to prevent his arrest, declaring martial law without full consultation with the cabinet, and preparing forged documents claiming to have the support of the prime minister and defense minister.
'Yoon's duty was to protect the constitution and the law, but he acted contrary to that,' the judge said. Prosecutors had asked for a 10-year prison sentence. Both sides have been given seven days to appeal the verdict.
Former President Yoon has denied all charges against him. He has maintained that he did not violate any legal process when he declared martial law and that the investigation against him was illegal.
Former President Park Geun-hye was also sentenced to 20 years in prison for corruption and abuse of power, but was later pardoned. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung won a landslide victory in the election held six months after Yoon's martial law attempt.
