South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday confirmed a seven-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, stemming from his efforts to prevent authorities from detaining him after his brief and controversial declaration of martial law in 2024.
The decision came after the Seoul High Court increased Yoon’s original five-year sentence to seven years back in April, following a determination that he was guilty of additional offenses beyond the original charges.
In issuing its ruling, the Supreme Court stated there were no errors in how the lower court interpreted the law.
The nation’s highest court also affirmed the appeals court’s conclusion that Yoon was guilty of forging official documents, failing to follow required legal procedures — which mandate that martial law be formally discussed in a cabinet meeting — and providing false information to foreign news organizations.
Following Thursday’s decision, attorneys representing Yoon announced their intention to pursue further legal action. “We will challenge the constitutionality of this ruling through constitutional review procedures, including a constitutional complaint,” one of Yoon’s lawyers stated.
Prosecutors, who had pushed for a 10-year sentence in the case, argued that Yoon abused his presidential authority and caused harm to the public.
The 65-year-old former leader is already facing a separate life sentence handed down in February, connected to charges that he orchestrated an insurrection related to the martial law declaration. Yoon has been held in custody since July 2025 and is currently facing seven additional trials.
