South Korea’s ex-President Yoon gets five years’ jail in first court ruling over martial law

0 January 16, 2026 09:25

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to five years’ jail over his failed martial law bid. The Seoul District Court found him guilty of multiple charges, including obstructing attempts to arrest him. The court said Yoon’s actions plunged the country into a political crisis and criticised him for showing no remorse. This is the first verdict of the eight charges linked to the impeached former leader’s martial law declaration. Lim Yun Suk reports from Seoul.