Yoon Sukyeol Faces Series of Trials Starting in January... First Verdict on 'Obstruction of Arrest' Set for the 16th

First Court Ruling Among Eight Criminal Trials
Possible Reference Point for Subsequent Cases
Yoon's Side: "Insurrection Ringleader Verdict Should Come First"
Court Rejects the Request
Key Defendants in 'Martial Law and Special Prosecutor' Cases
Final Hearing for Lee Sangmin on the 12th, Verdict for Han Ducksoo on the 21st
Verdicts for Kim Keonhee, Kwon Seongdong, and Yoon Youngho on the 28th

With all three special prosecutor teams (Insurrection, Kim Keonhee, and Private Chae) wrapping up their investigations, the "time of the courts" will begin in January next year, as verdicts are handed down for former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife, as well as key defendants involved in the emergency martial law case. Legal experts predict that the verdict on the obstruction of arrest warrant execution-delivered before the main insurrection case involving former President Yoon-could serve as the "first reference point" for a series of upcoming trials.

According to the legal community on December 31, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 35 (Presiding Judge Baek Daehyun) has set January 16 next year as the sentencing date for former President Yoon’s case on charges including obstruction of special official duties and abuse of authority. This will be the court’s first ruling among the eight criminal trials Yoon is facing.

Former President Yoon’s legal team requested a postponement of the sentencing, arguing that a judgment on the main charge of leading the insurrection should come first. However, the court rejected this request, stating that the legality of the martial law declaration itself is not the central issue in this case. At the sentencing hearing held on December 26, Special Prosecutor Cho Eonseok’s insurrection team requested a 10-year prison sentence for former President Yoon.

The main insurrection trial, considered the core of Yoon’s cases, is currently being heard by the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gwiyoun), with the sentencing hearing scheduled for January 9.

Legal experts believe that the fact that a verdict will be delivered in a separate case before a decision is made on the main insurrection charge could influence the tone of future court battles. Even though the first verdict may not have direct binding power on other trials, it could serve as a reference point for subsequent rulings. While the elements of the crimes in Yoon’s various cases differ, some facts overlap, and the points of contention in later trials may shift depending on which facts and legal principles the court recognizes. This is especially true in complex cases with voluminous records, where an initial ruling often serves as a benchmark for organizing the issues.

A senior judge at a metropolitan court commented, “Judgments are at the discretion of the judges, so we can’t assume the same conclusions will be reached, but if a verdict is delivered first on the same set of facts, there are aspects that can be referenced. If the (first related) ruling clearly organizes legally ambiguous points, it may be used as is.”

In addition to former President Yoon’s cases, sentencing and final hearings for other key defendants linked to the martial law and special prosecutor investigations are scheduled. On January 12, the final hearing for former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin, accused of ordering media blackouts and power cuts, will take place. On January 21, the verdict for former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, charged with aiding and abetting the insurrection, is scheduled. On January 28, verdicts are set for First Lady Kim Keonhee-indicted for alleged stock manipulation involving Deutsche Motors-along with People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seongdong and former Unification Church World Headquarters chief Yoon Youngho.

With the three special prosecutors referring a total of 121 individuals to trial, the Seoul Central District Court and Seoul High Court are expected to deliver a series of rulings on these extensive case records starting early next year. Although the first verdict will proceed independently of the main insurrection case, it is drawing attention as the first signal of how the courts will interpret the facts and legal principles in the upcoming wave of trials.