Former South Korean defense minister sentenced to prison

Former South Korean defense minister Kim Yong-hyun has been sentenced to three years in prison for leaking classified military information.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court delivered its verdict in the case against Kim on charges of disclosing military secrets, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

The court found Kim guilty of leaking confidential military information related to the martial law declaration by former President Yoon Suk Yeol and sentenced him to three years in prison.

Yoon's Martial Law Declaration and Impeachment

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024, claiming that the opposition was involved in "anti-state activities." However, he was forced to reverse the decision after the National Assembly voted to lift the measure.

In a vote held on December 14, 2024, the National Assembly approved impeachment proceedings against Yoon, resulting in his temporary suspension from office.

On April 4, 2025, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment motion and officially removed Yoon from office.

Following Yoon's removal, opposition Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung won the subsequent election and was formally sworn in on June 4, 2025.

Photo: Wikipedia