This is the first conviction in the proceedings against the former president. The Korea Herald reports that the prosecution sought a total of ten years of imprisonment: five years for obstructing the arrest, two years for the illegal revision of the martial law decree, and three years for violating the rights of ministers, spreading false information in foreign media, and destroying evidence.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) attempted to detain Yoon in early January last year after he failed to appear for questioning three times in a case of treason and rebellion. The court issued an arrest warrant, but faced with resistance from the president's security, investigators were forced to retreat. Subsequently, Yoon was arrested.
According to the Korea Herald, the former president claimed that the CIO did not have the authority to investigate the rebellion case; however, the court deemed the actions of the office lawful based on the existing warrant.
Yoon Suk-yeol is facing charges under eight articles. The next court hearing in the rebellion case is scheduled for February 19, where the prosecution has requested the death penalty, characterizing Yoon as the organizer of the rebellion, seeking to maintain power through control over the judicial and legislative systems.
Martial law was declared on December 3, 2024, amid a crisis with opposition parties in parliament. The conflict arose due to the inability to pass the budget for the following year, as well as attempts to impeach several high-ranking officials.
Military equipment was deployed on the streets of Seoul, and the parliament building was surrounded. A few hours later, the regime was lifted, and Yoon Suk-yeol was removed from power in mid-December 2024.
