Korean Bar Association Revokes Attorney License of Yoon Seok-yeol After 7-Year Prison Sentence Confirmed

Korean Bar Association Revokes Attorney Registration Following Ministry of Justice’s Order
Disqualification Under Attorney-at-Law Act Due to Confirmed Imprisonment

The attorney registration of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for charges including obstruction of the execution of an arrest warrant by the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit, has been revoked.

On July 9, the Supreme Court's Third Division (Presiding Justice Lee Sukyeon) finalized a 7-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Seokyeol, who was tried on charges including obstruction of the execution of an arrest warrant issued by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HCIA). Citizens are watching related broadcasts at Seoul Station. 2026.07.09 Photo by Yoon Dongju

According to the legal community on the 29th, the Korean Bar Association recently canceled the registration of former President Yoon as an attorney. This measure follows an order from the Ministry of Justice to revoke the registration.

According to the Attorney-at-Law Act, if a person listed on the roll of attorneys receives a confirmed sentence of imprisonment or more, it constitutes grounds for disqualification. In such cases, the Minister of Justice must order the Korean Bar Association to revoke the attorney's registration.

On July 9, the Supreme Court finalized the original verdict sentencing former President Yoon to seven years in prison on charges including obstruction of official duties by special public officials and abuse of authority by impeding the exercise of rights.

Former President Yoon was prosecuted in January 2025 for obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant by the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit and violating the deliberation rights of other cabinet members by convening only some cabinet ministers prior to the declaration of martial law. He was also found guilty of drafting and destroying a false proclamation after martial law was lifted.

Former President Yoon completed the 23rd class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute in 1994 and worked as a prosecutor before serving as an attorney at the law firm Bae, Kim & Lee for about one year in 2002. He later returned to the prosecution, eventually serving as chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and as Prosecutor General.

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