Former South Korean President Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

One of the most intense trials in South Korea's political scene is underway. A special prosecutor has charged former President Yoon Seok-yeol with obstruction of justice and has requested a 10-year prison sentence in the Seoul Central District Court.

According to the prosecution, Yoon Seok-yeol resisted investigators' attempts to arrest him while he was inside the presidential residence in January 2025. Prosecutors are calling this a clear obstruction of justice. The former head of state is also accused of violating the constitutional rights of nine members of the Cabinet who were not invited to a meeting where the martial law plan was discussed.

It is noted that this case is only one of four criminal cases brought against Yoon Seok-yeol in connection with the introduction of martial law in December 2024. He is currently being held in a correctional facility and has strongly denied all charges. The verdict is expected to be announced around January 16.

It should be recalled that in early December 2024, Yun Seok-yol declared martial law in the country. He explained this decision by the need to “eliminate North Korean forces against the state” and called on opposition parties to “stop actions that derail the state’s affairs.”

However, this decision met with strong opposition in parliament. Lawmakers voted to impeach the president, and in January 2025, Yun Seok-yol was arrested. In March, he was temporarily released, but in July, the prosecutor’s office expressed concerns that he might destroy evidence.

The events did not stop there. In November 2025, a South Korean special prosecutor's office filed a series of serious charges against the former president. According to them, Yun Seok-yol approved a secret operation to send a drone into North Korean territory in October 2024.

According to the indictment, the operation was intended to provoke retaliatory strikes and use it as a pretext to impose martial law. The prosecution considers this to be abuse of power and aiding the enemy.

The Yun Seok-yol case has become one of the most complex and controversial political and legal processes in South Korean history. The upcoming verdict may be a significant test not only for the fate of the former president, but also for the future of the rule of law and democratic institutions in the country.