On April 29, 2026, the Seoul High Court handed down its appellate ruling in the case of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, increasing his prison sentence to 7 years. The ruling means Yoon becomes the latest in a long line of South Korean former presidents to face criminal conviction and heavy sentencing.

Appeals Court Increases Sentence

According to Reuters, the South Korean appeals court determined that Yoon’s offenses were more serious than the trial court had found, and therefore increased his sentence to 7 years. The charges primarily stem from his obstruction of arrest and abuse of power during the December 2024 martial law incident.

NPR reported that the South Korean court sentenced the former president to 7 years in prison on charges including resisting arrest. The judgment reflects the South Korean judicial system’s zero-tolerance stance toward the abuse of presidential power.

Aftermath of the Martial Law Incident

Yoon’s legal crisis originated from his brief declaration of martial law in December 2024. At the time, Yoon declared emergency martial law, accusing the opposition party of being “pro-North Korea,” which triggered fierce backlash across the political spectrum. Hours later, the National Assembly passed a resolution to lift martial law, forcing Yoon to withdraw the order.

Subsequently, South Korean prosecutors launched investigations into Yoon on multiple charges including insurrection and obstruction of official duties. The Constitutional Court later approved Yoon’s impeachment, making him the second president in South Korean constitutional history to be removed from office through impeachment.

The “Blue House Curse” Continues

Deutsche Welle (DW) noted that Yoon’s sentence being increased to 7 years on appeal further perpetuates the “Blue House Curse” — the pattern of South Korean former presidents facing judicial accountability after leaving office.

Since South Korea’s democratization, multiple former presidents have faced criminal investigations and trials after their terms ended, including Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Lee Myung-bak, and Park Geun-hye. Yoon’s case has once again sparked widespread discussion about South Korea’s political culture and judicial independence.

Political Implications

UPI reported that the appeals court increased Yoon’s sentence to 7 years on charges including obstruction of arrest. This judgment will have far-reaching implications for South Korean politics.

Analysts point out that the final ruling in Yoon’s case will influence the political trajectory of South Korea’s conservative camp and could significantly impact the landscape of the upcoming presidential election. The博弈 between the ruling party and opposition over this case is expected to continue escalating.

Yoon’s legal team has stated they will continue to defend his rights through legal channels, but the final ruling may still await a Supreme Court decision.

Source: NPR | Reuters | Deutsche Welle | UPI

On April 28, 2026, the Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 15-2, presided over by Judge Shin Jong-o with Judges Sung Eon-ju and Won Ik-seon, sentenced former South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee to four years in prison and a fine of 50 million won (approximately $35,000 USD) in a landmark appeals ruling.

The court significantly increased Kim’s sentence from the 20 months imposed at the first trial, finding her guilty of involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors and accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church.

The Seoul High Court stated that Kim’s actions “severely undermined capital market order and betrayed public trust,” warranting a heavier penalty. The appeals court determined that the original sentence was insufficient given the gravity of the offenses.

Kim’s defense team announced plans to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court of South Korea. The case has been one of the most closely watched political scandals in recent Korean history.

Kim Keon Hee is the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and removed from office in 2025. The case has sparked widespread public debate in South Korea about the ethical standards expected of political figures and their families.

Legal analysts suggest that the final outcome of Kim’s case could have far-reaching implications for South Korean politics and the ongoing reckoning with corruption in the country’s political establishment.

Source: Yonhap News Agency, Reuters