Seoul: A South Korean court sentenced Yoon Seok-yeol to five years in prison on multiple counts, including obstructing authorities from arresting him, following his unsuccessful attempt to declare martial law in December 2024.

According to Thai News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court found Mr. Yoon guilty of ordering the presidential security detail to obstruct officers from enforcing a legally issued arrest warrant to bring him in for questioning regarding the declaration of martial law.

In a televised trial, the judge cited Yoon's charges of forging official documents and failing to follow necessary legal procedures for declaring martial law. The three-judge panel argued that the defendant used his presidential influence to obstruct the enforcement of a lawful arrest warrant, essentially using a public official as a tool for his own safety and benefit. However, the five-year prison sentence handed down is only half the ten-year term previously requested by the special prosecutors.

Following the court hearing, Mr. Yoon's legal team stated that their client intends to appeal the decision and expressed regret, noting that the court's ruling was politically motivated. Mr. Yoon himself maintained that declaring martial law was within the president's authority to warn the opposition party against obstructing the government.

Mr. Yoon still faces a separate trial on charges of being behind a rebellion stemming from the unjustified declaration of martial law, which could carry a maximum penalty of death, as requested by the special prosecutor. The court is scheduled to rule on the rebellion case on February 19th.