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.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million peop...
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships ...
The U.S. plans to seek the redirection of Iranian assets to Gulf states to help fund reconstruction and repairs for damage attributed to Iran, a sourc...
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said....
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 6 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S. visa approvals continues to cast a shadow over the country's tournament preparations.
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment