Politics South Korea's ex-president sentenced to five years in prison
South Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice. Just over a year ago, the conservative politician unexpectedly imposed martial law and plunged the country into a national crisis. The Seoul Central District Court has now ruled that the 65-year-old prevented his arrest with the help of the presidential security service, among others, and deleted several documents of evidence against him.
16.01.2026, 07:56
SDA
On December 3, 2024, Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law in the course of a budget dispute with the opposition. The conservative politician justified the radical measure with the protection of South Korea's liberal order. He also accused the left-wing opposition of being infiltrated by communists with links to China and North Korea. Yoon presented no evidence for his accusations.
In a separate trial, the public prosecutor's office recently demanded the death penalty for Yoon on suspicion of sedition. A verdict is scheduled for February 19. Although the death penalty is still imposed in South Korea, it has not been carried out for almost 30 years.
At the time, international investors were concerned about the stability of the East Asian tiger state - and withheld investments. The reputation of the country, which had previously always been regarded as a political and economic role model in the region by the West, suffered worldwide. Since the summer, South Korea has been ruled by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-of-center politician and long-time political rival of Yoon.
