Hey fam! 👋 On Thursday, January 22, 2026, South Korea’s independent special counsel team, led by Cho Eun-suk, filed an appeal against the first-instance verdict in former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s arrest obstruction case.
In the Seoul Central District Court’s January 16 ruling, Yoon received a five-year prison sentence for allegedly ordering the presidential security service to block a detention warrant at the Blue House. The court also acquitted him on related counts, including instructions to issue false press releases.
Cho Eun-suk’s team, which had sought a 10-year term, is now challenging both the sentence length and the dismissed charges. “We’re appealing the full scope of the decision,” the counsel said. ⚖️
Yoon’s lawyers jumped in earlier this week too—on Monday, January 19—filing their own appeal over alleged procedural irregularities and the court’s dismissal of key evidence.
Next up: the court will hear the insurrection charges tied to Yoon’s emergency martial law declaration on December 3, 2024—a move revoked hours later by the National Assembly—at a session scheduled for February 19, 2026. On those counts, the special counsel is even seeking the death penalty.
Quick timeline for context:
- January 2025: Yoon was indicted under detention as a suspected insurrection ringleader.
- April 2025: The Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment motion, officially removing him from office.
It’s a rare showdown: a former president fighting both acquittals and a hefty prison term. Stay tuned for more updates! 🤔
Reference(s):
S. Korea special counsel appeals verdict in Yoon arrest case
cgtn.com
