Archive photo. Former President of South Korea Yoon Suk-yeol sentenced to five years in prison
It is also worth noting that Yoon Suk-yeol faces the death penalty on charges of organizing a coup.
The Seoul Central District Court issued the sentence related to the declaration of martial law that he announced in December 2024. The charges also included obstruction of detention.
The prosecution insisted on a ten-year prison sentence: five years for obstructing the arrest, two years for attempting to revise the martial law decree after its declaration, and three years for violating the rights of cabinet members, providing false information to foreign media, and destroying evidence.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) attempted to detain Yoon Suk-yeol in early January last year when he failed to appear for questioning three times regarding the case of treason and rebellion.
It should be recalled that on December 4, 2024, Yoon Suk-yeol announced the declaration of martial law, justifying it by the need to "cleanse the country of pro-North Korean elements and preserve the liberal constitutional order."
At that time, army special forces were deployed to the National Assembly, but many lawmakers managed to enter the building, and their supporters did not allow the military to enter. As a result, the lawmakers unanimously voted for a resolution demanding the repeal of martial law, receiving 190 votes out of 300.
Later, the president apologized for the declaration of martial law and promised not to repeat such actions, as well as not to evade political and legal responsibility.
The opposition accused the president, Defense Minister Kim Yeon-hen, Interior and Security Minister Lee Sang-min, and other key participants in the events of attempting a coup. On December 14, the South Korean parliament supported the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol.
Subsequently, early elections were held.
