South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk-yeol has been sentenced to five years in prison over his failed attempt to impose martial law, marking a historic moment in the country’s modern political history and making him the first former head of state to be jailed over such charges.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, is the first verdict among four separate trials linked to Yoon’s controversial decree in December 2024, which plunged South Korea into political turmoil and triggered months of legal and constitutional battles.
The court found Yoon guilty of abusing presidential power and undermining constitutional order by declaring martial law without sufficient legal justification. Prosecutors argued that the move amounted to an attempt to bypass democratic institutions at a time of growing political pressure on his administration.
Yoon had defended his actions by claiming the decree was a necessary measure to preserve national stability, insisting it was symbolic and aimed at drawing attention to what he described as legislative obstruction by the opposition. The court rejected that argument, ruling that the declaration posed a serious threat to democratic governance, regardless of how long it lasted.
The martial law order, which remained in effect for only a few hours, sparked widespread public outrage, mass protests, and an emergency parliamentary response that ultimately led to Yoon’s impeachment and removal from office in 2025. He was later arrested and charged in connection with multiple offences tied to the episode.
South Korea has not carried out an execution in nearly three decades, and while prosecutors in earlier proceedings had sought much harsher penalties, including life imprisonment or death, the court opted for a five-year custodial sentence in this initial case. Legal experts say the remaining trials could still expose Yoon to additional penalties, depending on their outcomes.
The verdict highlights South Korea’s strict stance on unconstitutional use of power, particularly given the country’s history of military rule. Analysts note that the ruling reinforces judicial independence and sends a strong signal that even former presidents are not above the law.
Yoon, who was present in court for the sentencing, is expected to appeal the decision. His legal team maintains that the charges are politically motivated and that the former president acted within the scope of his constitutional authority.
The case continues to divide public opinion. While many South Koreans see the sentence as a necessary defence of democracy, Yoon retains a base of loyal supporters who view him as a victim of political retaliation.
The remaining trials connected to the martial law bid are expected to continue in the coming months, keeping the former president’s legal fate firmly in the national spotlight.
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