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.
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South Korean workers manufacturing chips for Samsung Electronics are set to vote on a pay deal that could see some of them receive $416,000 in bonuses.
A government-mediated agreement has suspended an 18-day walkout by about 48,000 Samsung union members, easing fears of damage to South Korea's economy and global chip supply.
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics is facing its largest potential labour action in years, with tens of thousands of workers preparing for a prolonged strike over bonuses and profit-sharing at a time when the company is benefiting from a global artificial intelligence (AI) driven chip boom.
Samsung Electronics' union plans for 48,000 workers to walk off the job on Thursday (21 May) after efforts to clinch a deal on bonus payments fell through, threatening the health of South Korea's economy and the global supply of semiconductors.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 26 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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