South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol has been found guilty of abuse of power, obstructing justice and falsifying documents in relation to his failed martial law bid in 2024.
Prosecutors have sought a 10-year jail term for this set of charges. The sentence will come at a later date.
This is the first of the verdicts in four trials linked to his shock martial law decree. Although short-lived, the move plunged the country into turmoil, sparking protests as MPs rushed to the national assembly to overturn Yoon's decision.
Friday's ruling offers clues as to how the rest of Yoon's trials could go. Charges range from the abuse of power to campaign law violations.
The most serious charge is insurrection, for which prosecutors have demanded the death penalty. The verdict in that trial is expected in February.
About 100 supporters of Yoon had gathered outside the courthouse on Friday to watch the livestreamed proceedings projected on a large screen.
Some held red banners that read: Yoon, again! Make Korea great again. Others expressed anger as the judge delivered the guilty verdict, illustrating the deep divisions within South Korean society.
Yoon was convicted of using presidential bodyguards to prevent his arrest; failing to consult his entire cabinet before declaring martial law; as well as drafting and then destroying a falsified document claiming the martial law bid had been endorsed by the prime minister and defence minister.
Yoon denied the charges, claiming legal impropriety in his arrest and maintaining that he had the right to exercise emergency power without full cabinet consultation.
South Korea's courts often grant leniency when the accused accepts guilt or responsibility, but prosecutors argue that Yoon’s lack of remorse could lead to a harsher sentence.
The recent verdict has reignited debates over accountability and the state of democracy in South Korea, as the country continues to grapple with the fallout from Yoon's controversial actions.
