US EditionSouth Korea's ex-president Yoon given 5-year jail term in first ruling over martial law
The Seoul court convicted Yoon Suk Yeol of obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and falsifying documents in connection with his short-lived 2024 martial law decree.
- On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for charges tied to his late-2024 martial law decree, marking the first verdict in eight related trials.
- Yoon's Dec. 3, 2024 martial law declaration was nullified after about six hours by the National Assembly, sparking protests by the South Korean public and leading to his impeachment and removal.
- The court found that Yoon had obstructed an arrest warrant, excluded seven ministers from cabinet meetings, and fabricated then destroyed a martial‑law related document.
- One of Yoon's lawyers, Yoo Jung‑hwa, said the former president would appeal and both sides have seven days to do so, while Yoon faces seven more trials with the next sentencing on Feb. 19, as about 100 supporters gathered outside the courthouse on Friday.
- Prosecutors under special counsel Cho Eun‑seok had sought a combined 10‑year term and the death penalty for the insurrection charge, arguing Yoon privatized state institutions and tarnished national dignity.
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260 Articles
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5: The number of years South Korea’s ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced in prison today, on charges related to his failed attempt to impose martial law last year. Seoul’s Central District Court found him guilty of illegally using his bodyguards to prevent his arrest.7: The number of opposition supporters killed in Uganda last night, after President Yoweri Museveni took a large lead in Thursday’s election. With the majority of ballots retur…
Former right-wing president Yoon Suk-yeol faces seven other trials, one of which, for insurrection, could be punishable by death.
A South Korean court sentences Yoon to 5 years in prison in first of 8 trials related to martial law decree
An independent counsel has requested the death sentence over the charge that his martial law enforcement amounted to a rebellion, and the Seoul Central District Court will decide on that in a ruling on Feb. 19.
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