South Korean ousted President Yoon to receive 1st court verdict about martial law

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korean ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to receive his first court ruling Friday on charges related to his declaration of martial law in December 2024, officials said Thursday.

The Seoul Central District Court will hold Yoon’s sentencing at 2 pm local time (0500GMT) Friday on charges that include special obstruction of public duty, stemming from his unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law.

It will be the first verdict among eight separate cases Yoon is facing, according to Yonhap News.

Friday’s sentencing focuses on allegations that Yoon prevented investigators from arresting him last January, infringed on the rights of nine Cabinet members who were excluded from a meeting to review the martial law plan, and prepared and later destroyed a revised proclamation after the order was lifted.

A team led by Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk sought a 10-year prison sentence last month, arguing that Yoon “privatized” a state agency to hide and rationalize his actions.

In closing arguments, Yoon defended his decision to use the Presidential Security Service to block investigators, asserting that presidential security measures cannot be excessive regardless of their scope.

The case will be the first of Yoon’s trials to conclude and comes ahead of a separate ruling by a panel of the Seoul Central District Court on his insurrection charges, scheduled for Feb. 19.

On Tuesday, the special counsel team demanded the death penalty, accusing Yoon of leading an insurrection in his martial law declaration.