Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison by the Seoul Central District Court on January 16, 2026. The conviction stems from charges including obstructing attempts by authorities to arrest him following his failed bid to impose martial law in December 2024. The court found Yoon guilty of mobilizing the presidential security service to block the execution of an arrest warrant, fabricating official documents, failing to comply with legal processes for martial law, and abusing his power. This ruling represents the first verdict in a series of eight criminal trials Yoon Suk Yeol currently faces. He served as President from 2022 until his impeachment by the National Assembly in December 2024 and subsequent removal from office by the Constitutional Court in April 2025, following the martial law declaration. His actions, including deploying troops to the National Assembly to prevent a vote against his decree, led to widespread protests and a constitutional crisis. In addition to this sentence, prosecutors have demanded the death penalty for Yoon in a separate, more severe insurrection trial, which is expected to receive a verdict on February 19, 2026. Other charges against him include ordering drone infiltrations to provoke North Korea, and his wife faces separate corruption allegations. Yoon's lawyers have announced their intention to appeal the current five-year prison sentence, calling the decision politically motivated. The case highlights the country's commitment to the rule of law, even against former heads of state.