A Former Leader's Legal Troubles in South Korea

South Korea's former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, is facing serious legal consequences. He was recently sentenced to five years in prison. The court found him guilty of creating a fake document to impose martial law in 2024. He also misused his bodyguards to avoid arrest. The ruling came from a panel of three judges in Seoul. This was the first verdict in a series of eight trials related to his actions. The most serious charge, insurrection, is still pending. The decision on that will come on February 19. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for that charge. The court found Yoon guilty of obstructing justice. He ordered his security team to block officials who were trying to arrest him. The officials eventually succeeded a few days later. Judge Baek Dae-hyun criticized Yoon's actions. He said Yoon turned his security team into a private army. This was meant to protect his personal interests, not the country.Yoon also faced charges for abusing his power. He did not invite all cabinet members to a meeting. This meeting was about his plan to impose martial law. By not inviting them, he denied them the chance to review his plan. Yoon's martial law decree was not properly endorsed. The court found him guilty of fabricating a document. This document made it look like his cabinet members had approved his plan. He was also found guilty of ordering the deletion of data from government phones. This was done to obstruct investigators. South Korea has seen other political events recently. There was a strike by doctors protesting government policies. There was also a significant election loss for Yoon's party. These events have weakened Yoon's political influence.