Detention Period Expires on January 18 Next Year
Up to Six-Month Extension Possible if Additional Detention Is Granted
Former President Yoon Sukyeol, who is on trial in connection with the December 3 Martial Law Incident, is facing a decision on additional detention about one month before his current detention period expires. On December 23, the court is reviewing the necessity of further detention for former President Yoon, who has been indicted on charges related to the 'Pyongyang drone infiltration.' Meanwhile, on December 26, the 'obstruction of arrest' case is scheduled for closing arguments.
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is attending the first trial on charges of 'obstruction of special official duties and abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights' at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on September 26, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
The 36th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jeongyeop) will hold a closed hearing at 2:30 p.m. on the same day to review the necessity of additional detention for former President Yoon, who faces charges including general subversion and abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights. Under the Criminal Procedure Act, if additional charges are filed within the six-month detention period for the first trial and the necessity is recognized, a new detention warrant can be issued after review. Former President Yoon's current detention period expires on January 18 of next year, but if additional detention is granted, it can be extended by up to six months.
The special investigation team for insurrection is expected to argue for the necessity of further detention, citing the seriousness of the allegations that former President Yoon, in collusion with former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyeon and former Defense Security Command Chief Yeo Inhyeong, sought to escalate inter-Korean military tensions and use this as a pretext to declare martial law. They are also expected to raise concerns that, since the full extent of the general subversion charges has not been revealed, releasing him could influence witness testimony and lead to the destruction of evidence.
On the other hand, former President Yoon's legal team is expected to argue for a trial without detention, citing that the general subversion charge does not hold up legally and referring to his health issues.
The 35th Criminal Division of the same court (Presiding Judge Baek Daehyeon), which is handling the case involving obstruction of special official duties and other charges, will conclude its hearings on December 26. This will mark the first sentencing recommendation for former President Yoon following the martial law incident. After the witness examinations of former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sangmok and former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin are completed, the special prosecutor's sentencing recommendation and former President Yoon's final statement will follow. The verdict is scheduled for January 16 of next year.
Former President Yoon is currently on trial in a total of four cases, including being the alleged ringleader of insurrection. Observers note that the outcomes of the additional detention decision and the first sentencing recommendation, if announced consecutively, could have a significant impact on the future course of the trials.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
