South Korea’s special prosecutor has requested a 10-year prison sentence for former president Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of attempting to obstruct his arrest following his failed bid to impose martial law.
Prosecutors allege that Yoon tried to block investigators seeking to detain him in January by barricading himself inside the presidential compound.
The sentencing request, made on Friday, marks the first time special prosecutors have sought a jail term in the multiple cases he faces.
In a video recording of the trial, a prosecutor said Yoon had abused his authority while in office.
“The defendant, who was supposed to safeguard the constitution and uphold the rule of law, abused his power and hurt the public,” the prosecutor said.
“He has not apologised or shown remorse to the public, but instead tried to shift blame to his aides,” the prosecutor added.
Beyond the obstruction charge, prosecutors said Yoon failed to follow proper procedures before declaring martial law, including not convening all cabinet members. They also accused him of spreading false information to foreign media.
The Seoul Central District Court is expected to deliver a verdict on 16 January, according to local media.
Yoon, 65, is also standing trial separately on insurrection charges, which carry a possible sentence of life imprisonment or, in rare cases, the death penalty if he is convicted.
Meanwhile, a separate special prosecutor investigating allegations against Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, indicted the former president on Friday for allegedly violating the Public Official Election Act in connection with a separate case involving bribery and stock manipulation.
Yoon has denied all charges against him.
Syrian troops swept through dozens of towns and villages in the country's north on Saturday after Kurdish fighters withdrew under an agreement that ai...
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine said on Saturday that he escaped a raid by police and soldiers on his home, after authorities denied claims that h...
Egypt and Sudan have welcomed an offer by U.S. President Donald Trump to restart mediation with Ethiopia in a bid to resolve the long-running dispute ...
Fitch Ratings, one of the world’s three major credit rating agencies, says the start of trade and economic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan ...
A landmark global treaty to safeguard biodiversity in the high seas came into effect on Saturday, providing countries with a legally binding framework...
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday after a court found he obstructed authorities from arresting him following his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.
South Korea’s special prosecutor has requested the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of masterminding an insurrection over his brief attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.
Japan and South Korea have held high-level talks aimed at strengthening security cooperation and deepening economic ties, against a backdrop of rising tensions in East Asia.
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has called on South Korea to thoroughly investigate recent drone incidents and provide a detailed explanation, according to a statement released by state media KCNA on Sunday.
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said.
A railway power outage in Tokyo disrupted the morning commute for roughly 673,000 passengers on Friday (16 January) as two main lines with some of the world's busiest stations were halted after reports of a fire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the international situation is worsening and that the world is becoming more dangerous, while avoiding public comment on events in Venezuela and Iran.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that the long-awaited “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction has officially been formed.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting on Thursday, 15 January.
Egypt and Sudan have welcomed an offer by U.S. President Donald Trump to restart mediation with Ethiopia in a bid to resolve the long-running dispute over Nile River water sharing.
The White House has named senior U.S. and international figures to a so-called "Board of Peace" to oversee Gaza’s temporary governance under a plan unveiled by President Donald Trump on Friday.
Ukraine’s peace negotiators arrived in the United States on Saturday for talks on security guarantees and a post-war recovery package, Ukrainian officials said, as Kyiv seeks progress on a proposed agreement to end the nearly four-year war with Russia.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
More than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran’s nationwide protests, according to rights activists, as monitors reported a slight return of internet connectivity following an eight-day shutdown.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment