Yoon Suk-Yeol suddenly declared martial law in December 2024, plunging South Korea into a political crisis. The president was ousted a few months later and now stands accused of leading a rebellion in a coup d'état.
The first verdict was handed down on Friday in a televised trial, Yonhap news agency and the Chosun Ilbo daily reported. The former president was convicted of obstructing justice in various ways. The prosecution had demanded ten years in prison, but he was sentenced to five years.
Yoon Suk-Yeol faces a total of eight court cases, all linked to the declaration of martial law.
If he is convicted of an attempted coup d'état, he could face the death penalty. The sentence in that case will be handed down on February 19.
