South Korean Appeals Court Sentences Former President Yoon Suk Yeol to Seven Years for Obstruction and Resisting Arrest

A South Korean appeals court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to seven years in prison for obstructing justice and resisting arrest, following his December 2024 imposition of martial law without a full Cabinet meeting. This sentence adds to his existing life term for rebellion.

Judge Yoon Sung-sik of the Seoul High Court stated that Yoon bypassed a legally required full Cabinet meeting before declaring martial law, falsified documents to conceal this, and used security officials "like a private army" to resist arrest after his impeachment.

Yoon's lawyer, Yoo Jeong-hwa, expressed disappointment with the verdict and indicated plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.

In January, a lower court had sentenced Yoon to five years, partially clearing him of abuse-of-power charges related to the Cabinet meeting. The appeals court reversed this, finding him guilty on all counts and ruling that he violated the rights of nine Cabinet members by convening only a select few to simulate a formal meeting.

Yoon's brief martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, led to a severe political crisis, disrupting governance and financial markets. He was impeached on December 14, 2024, and formally removed from office in April 2025.

Following his suspension, Yoon resisted a court warrant for his arrest, leading to a standoff at the presidential residence in January 2025. He was detained later that month, released in March, and re-arrested in July.

This ruling follows a separate decision increasing the prison sentence of Yoon's wife ... to four years for accepting luxury gifts and involvement in stock price manipulation.

Prosecutors have also requested a 30-year ... over allegations that he escalated tensions with North Korea in ... to justify martial law.