S Korea’s ex-president Yoon to be jailed for 5 years over martial regulation bid

[ad_1] Jake Kwon, Seoul correspondent and

Leehyun Choi, Seoul

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/ebb6/live/9780cef0-f1f8-11f0-9f40-09b9096d04b0.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/ebb6/live/9780cef0-f1f8-11f0-9f40-09b9096d04b0.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ebb6/live/9780cef0-f1f8-11f0-9f40-09b9096d04b0.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/ebb6/live/9780cef0-f1f8-11f0-9f40-09b9096d04b0.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/ebb6/live/9780cef0-f1f8-11f0-9f40-09b9096d04b0.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/ebb6/live/9780cef0-f1f8-11f0-9f40-09b9096d04b0.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/ebb6/live/9780cef0-f1f8-11f0-9f40-09b9096d04b0.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ebb6/live/9780cef0-f1f8-11f0-9f40-09b9096d04b0.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="EPA/Shutterstock Yoon Suk Yeol with grey hair and a navy suit speaking into a microphone" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> EPA/Shutterstock Yoon was impeached in 2024 for his martial regulation try

South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol might be jailed for 5 years over abuse of energy, obstructing justice and falsifying paperwork in relation to his failed martial regulation bid in 2024.

That is the primary of the verdicts in 4 trials linked to his shock martial regulation decree. Though short-lived, the transfer triggered nationwide turmoil, sparking protests as MPs rushed to the nationwide meeting to overturn Yoon's resolution.

Yoon's actions "plunged the nation into political disaster", a choose mentioned on Friday, noting that Yoon had "constantly proven no regret".

Friday's ruling affords clues as to how the remainder of Yoon's trials might go. His string of expenses vary from abuse of energy to marketing campaign regulation violations.

Essentially the most severe cost is rebellion, for which prosecutors have demanded the dying penalty. The decision in that trial is anticipated in February.

About 100 supporters of Yoon had gathered outdoors the courthouse on Friday to look at the livestreamed proceedings projected on a big display.

A few of them held pink banners that learn: "Yoon, once more! Make Korea nice once more". A number of could possibly be heard yelling on the choose as he delivered the responsible verdicts, whereas others regarded solemn.

On Friday, Yoon was convicted of utilizing presidential bodyguards to forestall his arrest; failing to seek the advice of his total cupboard earlier than declaring martial regulation; in addition to drafting after which destroying a falsified doc claiming the martial regulation bid had been endorsed by the prime minister and defence minister.

"The accused has the responsibility to safeguard the structure and regulation however turned his again on them," the choose mentioned.

Prosecutors had sought a 10-year jail time period for the costs in Friday's ruling. Either side have seven days to enchantment.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/b9d5/live/19ea6940-f29f-11f0-94b8-a962cc92944d.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/b9d5/live/19ea6940-f29f-11f0-94b8-a962cc92944d.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b9d5/live/19ea6940-f29f-11f0-94b8-a962cc92944d.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/b9d5/live/19ea6940-f29f-11f0-94b8-a962cc92944d.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/b9d5/live/19ea6940-f29f-11f0-94b8-a962cc92944d.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/b9d5/live/19ea6940-f29f-11f0-94b8-a962cc92944d.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/b9d5/live/19ea6940-f29f-11f0-94b8-a962cc92944d.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b9d5/live/19ea6940-f29f-11f0-94b8-a962cc92944d.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Yoon supporters gathered outside the courthouse, many waving South Korea flags and holding red banners that read: "Yoon, again! Make Korea great again." Some wore red scarves and shawls." class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> About 100 supporters of Yoon had gathered outdoors the courthouse on Friday

Yoon denied the costs, arguing that the arrest warrant itself was invalid and that the letter of the regulation doesn't require him to seek the advice of each member of the cupboard earlier than exercising emergency energy.

He had claimed throughout his trials that investigators had no authorized foundation to probe and arrest him within the first place. A lot of the accusations in opposition to him are invalid as a result of there was no procedural lapse when he declared martial regulation, he argues.

South Korea's courts typically grant leniency when the accused accepts guilt or duty. However prosecutors argue that Yoon's lack of regret is grounds for an much more extreme penalty.

Park Geun-hye, who was sentenced to twenty years in jail for abuse of energy and bribery in 2021, was the final former president to be jailed for a prison cost. However she was pardoned and launched from jail shortly after.

Six months after Yoon's martial regulation try, voters elected opposition chief Lee Jae Myung in a decisive victory .

However Yoon's trials convey the highlight again to deep divisions in South Korea, the place the previous president retains robust supporters who see him as a martyr. In keeping with a survey carried out final December, almost 30% of South Koreans didn't consider that Yoon's martial regulation declaration amounted to an rebellion.

Whereas his martial regulation try introduced tens of hundreds of protesters onto the streets, it additionally noticed his supporters present up in counter protests, although in smaller numbers.