South Korea's ex-president Yoon to be jailed over martial law bid

A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for charges including obstructing attempts to arrest him following his failed bid to impose martial law. The Seoul Central District Court said it found Yoon guilty of obstructing authorities from executing an arrest warrant related to his martial law declaration in December 2024, live broadcast of the ruling showed.  He was also found guilty of charges that include fabricating official documents and failing to comply with legal process required for martial law. The ruling is the first related to the criminal charges Yoon faces over his botched martial law declaration. The ruling can be appealed. Yoon's actions "plunged the country into political crisis", a judge said on Friday, noting that Yoon had "consistently shown no remorse".
Some supporters of Yoon had gathered outside the courthouse on Friday to watch the livestreamed proceedings projected on a large screen. Some of them held red banners that read: "Yoon, again! Make Korea great again". Several could be heard yelling at the judge as he delivered the guilty verdicts, while others looked solemn. South Korea's courts often grant leniency when the accused accepts guilt or responsibility. But prosecutors argue that Yoon's lack of remorse is grounds for an even more severe penalty.