Ex-South Korean Leader Gets Prison Term in First Ruling Over Martial Law

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Choe Sang-HunJanuary 16, 2026 at 08:47 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday for fabricating an official document related to his short-lived martial law declaration in late 2024. The Seoul Central District Court convicted him of obstructing justice by using his security service to prevent his arrest on insurrection charges and abusing his power by denying cabinet members the right to review his martial law plan. He was also found guilty of falsifying documents to suggest cabinet endorsement and ordering the deletion of data from collaborators' phones. This is the first ruling in eight trials stemming from his martial law declaration, with a separate verdict on the insurrection charge, for which prosecutors seek the death penalty, scheduled for February 19.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Presidential Security Service 40% Baek Dae-hyun ×250% Seoul Central District Court 60% South Korea 80% Yoon Suk Yeol ×9100%

Keywords

yoon suk yeol 100% presidential power abuse 90% insurrection charges 90% martial law 80% court ruling 80% obstruction of justice 70% impeachment trial 70% south korea 60%