Overview
- Special prosecutors led by Cho Eun-sok asked for a combined 10-year sentence, seeking five years for obstruction, three for violating ministers’ rights, and two for preparing a martial-law proclamation.
- The case stems from allegations tied to a December 2024 martial-law push, including directing the Presidential Security Service to block his arrest, excluding nine ministers from a key meeting, revising a proclamation after cancellation, and attempting to destroy call logs while spreading false justifications.
- Judges plan to rule on January 16, the defense request to postpone was rejected, Yoon’s detention is due to expire January 18, and a decision on extending it is expected December 30.
- A separate principal charge accusing Yoon of leading a mutiny will proceed in early 2026 and carries far heavier penalties, with South Korean law allowing life imprisonment or, in theory, the death penalty, which has not been used since 1997.
- Additional allegations were filed December 24, including campaign-finance violations and aiding the enemy linked to a South Korean drone crash in Pyongyang.