Overview
- The Seoul Central District Court convicted the former president of obstructing a lawful detention, fabricating documents and bypassing required Cabinet deliberation for the December 2024 decree.
- Judges said he deleted secure phone records and effectively "privatized" the Presidential Security Service, citing his lack of remorse in imposing a severe penalty.
- The ruling is the first in a series of cases tied to the short-lived martial law order that led to Yoon’s impeachment, arrest and removal from office in 2025.
- Yoon’s legal team said they will appeal, arguing the decision was politicized and misread the scope of presidential authority.
- A separate insurrection case concludes on Feb. 19, with prosecutors having sought the death penalty in that trial.