South Korea’s Ex-President Gets Harsher Sentence

A South Korean appeals court has increased the prison sentence of former president Yoon Suk Yeol to seven years in a case linked to his 2024 declaration of martial law.

A lower court had originally sentenced him to five years in prison after acquitting him on part of the charges, but the appeals court found him guilty on additional counts, including mobilizing the presidential security service to prevent authorities from carrying out his arrest warrant.

The court said such actions were unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law. Yoon was also found guilty of falsifying official documents and violating the legal procedure for declaring martial law, which requires discussion at a formal cabinet meeting.

Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison term, accusing the former president of abuse of power, undermining the constitutional order and misusing state resources.

Yoon rejected the ruling, arguing that the court had misjudged the evidence. His lawyers said they would appeal to the Supreme Court.

The case is one of several trials Yoon has faced since his removal from office in 2025. He has been in detention since July 2025.

(reuters, max)