A South Korean appeals court on Wednesday increased the sentence of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol from five years to seven years in an obstruction of justice case.
In January, a lower court sentenced Yoon to five years in prison for abuse of power, using presidential security agents to prevent his arrest and other charges.
In a separate trial, Yun was sentenced to life in prison for the crime of leading a rebellion if martial law is suddenly imposed in 2024.
What does Yun’s sentence say?
Yoon’s previous conviction for the crime of obstruction was handed down by a lower court, which also acquitted him of some charges.
On Wednesday, an appeals court upheld the initial convictions but also overturned some acquittals. Yun’s charges were related to his short-lived 2024 martial law. Prosecutors were seeking a 10-year prison sentence.
“In trying to prevent authorities from executing an arrest warrant by using force, Yoon committed acts that are unacceptable in a law and order society,” a Seoul High Court judge said.
Yoon’s initial sentencing in January found him guilty of:
- Not following proper procedure before declaring martial law
- Preparing official documents related to the declaration
- Destroying potential criminal evidence by erasing official phone data
- Preventing officers from executing arrest warrants
Yoon can still appeal the sentence to the Supreme Court.
Life imprisonment and other legal troubles
Yun was sentenced to life in prison in February for leading the rebellion, which resulted from his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024.
In December 2024, Yun gave a shocking late-night televised address, announcing the suspension of civilian rule. Martial law lasted for about six hours that night as legislators rushed to the assembly building and voted for it in an emergency session.
He justified the move and said his plan was to restore the democratic system, claiming the country was losing ground to the opposition and “anti-state” forces.
This came after his right-wing People’s Power Party had lost its parliamentary majority earlier that year.
Yoon’s wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee, was also given an enhanced prison sentence earlier this week on unrelated corruption crimes.
Yun faced eight trials related to his tenure as president. He denies wrongdoing.
Edited by: Alex Berry