Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Five Years for Abuse of Power

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Seoul Central District Court for obstructing arrest and abuse of power linked to his December 2024 martial law declaration.

The court found Yoon guilty of mobilizing the Presidential Security Service to prevent the execution of an arrest warrant issued by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in January 2025. He was also convicted of fabricating official documents and bypassing a legally mandated full Cabinet meeting, thereby infringing on the rights of excluded Cabinet members.

Presiding Judge Baek Dae-hyun stated that Yoon "abused his immense influence as president to obstruct lawful warrant execution, effectively privatizing security officials sworn to serve the Republic of Korea into his personal troops."

Yoon's legal team announced plans to appeal the ruling, denouncing it as "politicized."

This verdict is the first in a series of trials stemming from Yoon's brief imposition of martial law in December 2024, which led to his impeachment and removal from office. He faces additional charges, including rebellion, for which prosecutors have sought the death penalty. A ruling on the insurrection charge is expected on February 19.