South Korea Jails Former President Yoon Suk Yeol in First Verdict Over Martial Law Decree

By Blessing Nweke

A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison on charges linked to his short-lived imposition of martial law, marking the first conviction among a series of criminal cases stemming from the controversial decree issued in late 2024.

The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court comes as Yoon faces eight separate criminal trials connected to the martial law order and other alleged abuses of power. While the most serious charge — leading a rebellion — was not decided in Friday’s verdict, the court convicted Yoon on other counts, including defying authorities’ attempts to detain him during the investigation.

The rebellion charge is the gravest allegation against the former leader and carries a potential death penalty under South Korean law. Prosecutors argue that Yoon’s declaration of martial law amounted to an unconstitutional attempt to undermine democratic governance and entrench his hold on power.

Yoon has not immediately responded publicly to the sentence. Previously, when an independent counsel sought a 10-year prison term for related offenses, his legal team dismissed the prosecution as politically motivated and said there was no legal basis for what it called an “excessive” punishment.

Yoon was impeached, arrested and formally removed from office following the December 2024 decree, which triggered massive nationwide protests and drew sharp condemnation across the political spectrum. Demonstrators accused him of attempting to roll back democratic norms in a country shaped by past military dictatorships.

The former president has defended his actions, insisting he never intended to impose prolonged military rule. He has said the declaration was meant to warn the public about what he described as obstruction by the liberal-controlled parliament, which he blamed for blocking his policy agenda.

Investigators, however, concluded that the move was aimed at strengthening and extending his rule, leading to charges including rebellion, abuse of power and other criminal offenses. Additional verdicts in Yoon’s remaining trials are expected in the months ahead.