A South Korean court on Friday, January 16, 2026, sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison on charges that included obstructing attempts by authorities to arrest him following his failed bid to impose martial law in December 2024.
The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of mobilizing the presidential security service to block authorities from executing an arrest warrant to investigate him for his martial law
As reported, the 65-year-old former prosecutor was also found guilty of charges that included fabricating official documents and failing to follow the legal process required for martial law, which has to be discussed at a formal cabinet meeting.
The ruling is the first judicial decision to address the illegality of both the declaration and implementation of martial law.
Court proceedings:
“The defendant abused his enormous influence as president to prevent the execution of legitimate warrants through officials from the Security Service, which effectively privatized officials—loyal to the Republic of Korea for personal safety and personal gain,” the lead judge on the three-justice panel said.
The proceedings were broadcast live as Yoon attended the hearing wearing a white shirt and navy suit and showed no visible reaction throughout, including when the court delivered the sentence.
“Despite having a greater duty than anyone else as president to uphold the Constitution, he instead disregarded measures designed to prevent presidential arbitrariness,” Judge Baek Dae-hyun of the Seoul Central District Court said.
Earlier this week, prosecutors sought the death penalty for Yoon in a separate trial on charges of leading an insurrection.
Prosecutors argued his alleged actions posed a grave threat to the constitutional order and warranted the maximum punishment allowed under South Korean law. Insurrection is one of the few crimes still punishable
