Overview
- The Seoul Central District Court found he mobilized the Presidential Security Service to block a lawful detention attempt and manipulated documents tied to the December 2024 decree.
- Presiding Judge Baek Dae-hyun said he "effectively privatized" security forces, noted a lack of remorse, and deemed a severe punishment necessary to restore the rule of law.
- His lawyers said they will appeal, calling the ruling politicized and arguing it blurs presidential authority with criminal liability.
- The court affirmed the Corruption Investigation Office’s authority to investigate a sitting president and to execute detention warrants at the presidential residence.
- A separate insurrection case is set for a Feb. 19 verdict after prosecutors sought the death penalty, though South Korea has not carried out executions since 1997, and Yoon remains detained while facing eight trials.