Yoon's 'Obstruction of Arrest Case' Hearings Reopened Ahead of Sentencing on the 16th

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News

The court presiding over the case involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is accused of obstructing the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency, will resume hearings ahead of the sentencing scheduled for the 16th.

The 35th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Baek Daehyun) announced on the 5th that it would reopen the hearings in former President Yoon's case, which includes charges of obstructing official duties, and hold an additional trial session at 2 p.m. on the 6th.

Reopening the hearings refers to resuming the trial after its conclusion if there is a reason to hear arguments again. While the court notified both parties of the reopening, it did not specify the reason. However, along with its decision, the court issued a preparatory order to the special prosecutor's team investigating the insurrection, requesting that they organize the order of impeachment evidence against the evidence submitted by former President Yoon’s team.

Attention is now focused on whether the sentencing date, originally set for the 16th, will be postponed due to the additional trial session. It is understood that if the reopening is solely in response to the court's request for clarification, the special prosecutor's team believes the sentencing date is unlikely to change at this time.

Former President Yoon’s legal team stated in a press release that "the court is reopening the hearings on its own authority, and we have not been informed of the reason for this decision."

Previously, the court had hinted at the possibility of reopening the hearings during the closing arguments held on December 26. The court indicated that if it determined further examination of newly obtained documentary evidence was necessary, it could schedule another trial session.

At that time, the special prosecutor’s team led by Cho Eunseok requested a total prison sentence of 10 years for former President Yoon on charges including obstruction of arrest and infringement of the deliberation and decision-making rights of Cabinet members.

The court has maintained its plan to deliver the verdict on the 16th since mid-December. However, former President Yoon’s side argues that sentencing should only proceed after the verdict is reached in the main insurrection case, which involves charges of being the ringleader of the rebellion related to the emergency martial law.