Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced Amid Controversy

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to five years in prison for obstructing his arrest among other charges linked to his failed martial law declaration. Yoon faces several trials related to insurrection and other charges; he plans to appeal the verdict.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 16-01-2026 14:38 IST | Created: 16-01-2026 14:38 IST
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced Amid Controversy
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South Korea has been rocked by the sentencing of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who received a five-year prison term on Friday for obstructing arrest attempts. This verdict marks the first ruling connected to his ill-fated martial law declaration.

The ex-president, formerly a top prosecutor, is embroiled in eight separate trials concerning charges such as insurrection, for which prosecutors have requested the death penalty. Yoon, detained at the Seoul Detention Centre, adamantly denies all allegations and is expected to appeal.

The legal battles against Yoon extend beyond this current sentencing. His involvement in insurrection-related activities and past actions as president have prompted a series of court cases, which continue to captivate national and international attention.

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