South Korea's Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the seven-year prison sentence handed to former President Yoon Suk Yeol for crimes tied to the botched 2024 martial law declaration and subsequent chaos.

"All appeals are dismissed," a top court judge said in a televised ruling. Yoon had initially been sentenced to five years in prison by a lower court in January on charges including abuse of power and using presidential security agents to block his arrest. The sentence was later increased to seven years by an appeals court.

The Supreme Court stated there was no misunderstanding of any legal interpretations in the lower court rulings. The case stems from Yoon's controversial attempt to impose martial law in 2024, which led to widespread political turmoil.

This verdict marks a significant moment in South Korea's political history, demonstrating the strength of its democratic institutions. Further legal actions by Yoon's legal team remain possible.

Source: www.dw.com