The Tamesis
January 16, 2026
Seoul – The Seoul Central District Court on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Seok-yeol to five years in prison for obstructing investigators’ attempts to detain him last year, the first verdict in a case stemming from his failed declaration of martial law in 2024.
Special prosecutor Cho Eun-sook requested that Yoon be sentenced to 10 years in prison, including five years for resisting arrest, two years for amending martial law after the fact, three years for infringing the deliberation rights of cabinet members, spreading false information to foreign media, and destroying evidence.
After Yoon declared martial law in 2024, the Senior Officials Corruption Investigation Office attempted to arrest Yoon in January 2025. Yoon then mobilized presidential security services and police forces to cordon off his residence.
Yin claimed that the CIO did not have jurisdiction to investigate the insurrection allegations. However, the court ruled that the CIO’s search and arrest warrants were valid.
Friday’s ruling is expected to set a precedent on the legality of a preliminary investigation into Yin’s alleged rebellion.
In addition to Friday’s verdict, Yin faces seven trials, with the next sentencing for Yin on rebellion charges scheduled for February 19.
