South Korea’s appeals court has lengthened the prison sentence for former President Yoon in connection with an obstruction case
A South Korean appeals court on Wednesday raised the prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol to seven years, relating to charges associated with his brief 2024 martial law declaration, following appeals from both Yoon and the prosecution.
A lower court sentenced Yoon to five years in prison in January after clearing him of some charges, but the appeals court found him guilty of additional offenses, including mobilizing the presidential security service to obstruct authorities from arresting him. “In attempting to prevent authorities from executing an arrest warrant through the use of force, Yoon engaged in actions that are intolerable in a society governed by law and order,” stated the Seoul High Court judge.
The 65-year-old former prosecutor, who faced impeachment and removal from office last year, was also convicted on charges that included the fabrication of official documents and neglecting to adhere to the legal procedures mandated for martial law, which must be addressed in a formal cabinet meeting.
The ruling, the inaugural one from a specialized court division established to address cases related to the martial law attempt, was broadcasted on television.
Prosecutors aimed for a 10-year prison sentence, alleging that Yoon had betrayed public trust, compromised the constitutional order, and misused state resources to privatize public power.
Yoon appealed the lower court’s decision, arguing that it overlooked evidence that surfaced during the trial and misinterpreted the facts.
On Wednesday, his lawyers announced their intention to appeal to the Supreme Court, describing the appeals court’s ruling as “incomprehensible” and asserting that the court made an error by applying rigid legal principles to actions that could be viewed as political in nature.
The case is one of the eight trials Yoon is facing since his removal last April. He has been incarcerated since July.
In February, Yoon received a life sentence for orchestrating an insurrection related to the martial law he imposed in 2024.
Yoon has refuted any allegations of misconduct.
