On Thursday, January 22, 2026, South Korea's special counsel team, led by independent counsel Cho Eun-suk, filed an appeal against the first-instance ruling in the arrest obstruction case against former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The appeal challenges both the court's acquittal on several charges and the five-year prison sentence imposed last Friday.
The legal office, which had sought a 10-year prison term, is contesting the decision to drop charges related to Yoon's alleged orders to push out misleading press statements. This move follows an appeal from Yoon's defense team on Monday, where they alleged procedural errors and the court's improper rejection of key evidence.
At the heart of the dispute is a charge that, in January 2025, Yoon directed the presidential security service to block investigators from executing a detention warrant at the official presidential residence. Seoul Central District Court handed down the five-year sentence on January 16, 2026, in a live-streamed first-instance verdict.
Beyond the obstruction charges, Yoon faces insurrection charges tied to an emergency martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, which the National Assembly revoked hours later. Sentencing for those insurrection charges is set for February 19, 2026, with the special counsel initially seeking the death penalty.
Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested under detention in January 2025, becoming the first sitting president in the Republic of Korea to face indictment. The constitutional court affirmed his impeachment in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
As this legal drama unfolds, all eyes are on the appeals process and next month's insurrection hearing. Stay tuned to see how this high-stakes battle shapes South Korea's political landscape. ⚖️
Reference(s):
S. Korea special counsel appeals verdict in Yoon arrest case
cgtn.com
