In a landmark ruling on April 29, the Seoul High Court's First Criminal Division overturned a previous five-year sentence and sentenced former President Yoon Suk-yeol to seven years in prison. The court found that Yoon violated the constitution and abandoned his presidential duties, particularly in obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant issued by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).
The presiding judge, Yoon Seong-sik, stated that the warrant was lawfully issued and that using physical force to obstruct it undermines the rule of law. The court emphasized that Yoon, as president, failed to uphold the constitution and exacerbated social unrest, justifying the increased sentence.
Key points of the ruling include:
- Legality of Arrest Warrant: The court affirmed the first arrest warrant was valid and that refusal to comply was unjustified.
- Constitutional Violations: Yoon was found to have used state officials improperly, akin to a 'Pyrrhic incident,' breaching the rule of law.
- Aggravated Sentencing: Parts of the original acquittal were overturned, including infringement on the deliberative authority of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
- Sentence: 7 years imprisonment, up from the original 5 years.
The ruling marks a significant moment in South Korean legal history, underscoring accountability for presidential misconduct.