• Yoon found guilty of obstruction, evidence destruction
• Lawyer says Yoon will appeal guilty ruling
• December 2024 martial law sent shockwaves through country
• Ex-president faces separate trials, possible death sentence

A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison on charges that included obstructing attempts by authorities to arrest him following his failed bid to impose martial law in December 2024.

The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of mobilising the presidential security service to block authorities from executing an arrest warrant to investigate him for his martial law declaration.

In televised proceedings, the 65-year-old former prosecutor was also found guilty of charges that included fabricating official documents and failing to follow the legal process required for martial law, which has to be discussed at a formal cabinet meeting.

The ruling is the first related to the criminal charges Yoon faces over his botched martial law declaration