Yoon Suk Yeol in court on Sep 26, 2025, at the start of a new trial on obstruction charges. (Image: Reuters)

As it happened: South Korea's ex-president Yoon to appeal court ruling over martial law bid

The verdict is the first against Yoon in the eight criminal trials over the decree he issued in late 2024 and other allegations.

16 Jan 2026, 04:17 · CNA · Join

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A South Korean court on Friday (Jan 16) sentenced former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for charges including obstructing attempts to arrest him following his failed bid to impose martial law.

The Seoul Central District Court said it found Yoon guilty of obstructing authorities from executing an arrest warrant related to his martial law declaration in December 2024, live broadcast of the ruling showed.

He was also found guilty of charges that include fabricating official documents and failing to comply with legal process required for martial law.

The ruling, which can be appealed, is the first related to the criminal charges Yoon faces over his botched martial law declaration.

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