On December 26, 2025, the Central Court of Seoul became the stage for one of South Korea’s most closely watched trials in recent memory. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, once the nation’s top leader, now stands accused of a series of grave offenses that have sent ripples through the country’s political landscape. The charges—obstructing special government operations, abusing power, and a slew of related allegations—have culminated in a dramatic courtroom showdown, with prosecutors seeking a decade behind bars for the former president.
According to Yonhap, the South Korean special prosecution team made their sentencing proposal public during the December 26 hearing, recommending a total of 10 years in prison for Yoon. This is the first time such a sentence has been formally proposed in the ongoing criminal cases against the former president, who is currently facing four separate trials. The charges stem from a military law order issued and then hastily withdrawn on the night of December 3, 2024—a move that sparked a national crisis and set the stage for the current legal battle.
The prosecution’s case is multifaceted and detailed. At its heart, prosecutors allege that Yoon not only obstructed official investigations into the controversial military law order but also used the machinery of state to conceal and justify his actions. As reported by VnExpress, the indictment accuses Yoon of blocking efforts by the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Agency to detain him in January, violating laws designed to protect the public’s interest in the fair execution of government duties.
Prosecutors further claim that Yoon violated the rights of nine members of his own cabinet by failing to summon them to critical meetings about the military law order. Instead of allowing a full and transparent discussion, they argue, Yoon kept key voices out of the room. The prosecution also alleges that he provided false information to the foreign press and ordered the destruction of evidence—specifically, the deletion of data from the phones of senior military commanders, actions meant to cover up the true sequence of events.
Breaking down the proposed sentence, the prosecution has asked for five years in prison for Yoon’s obstruction of his own detention, three years for violating the rights of cabinet members and spreading false information, and two years for drafting and destroying altered official documents. All told, the charges add up to a proposed 10-year sentence—a stark fall from grace for a man who once occupied the Blue House.
During the hearing, special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk did not mince words. According to Yonhap, Cho stated, "The defendant’s actions have caused serious damage to the legal order of South Korea, while also undermining the trust of the citizens who elected him as president. Throughout the trial, the defendant has shown no remorse or offered any apology to the public, instead repeatedly insisting on the legitimacy of the martial law order." The prosecution painted a picture of a leader who, rather than accepting responsibility, doubled down on his decisions and refused to acknowledge the consequences of his actions.
Yoon, for his part, has consistently denied all charges. He maintains that his decisions were justified and necessary given the circumstances at the time. At the December 26 hearing, he once again rejected the prosecution’s allegations, standing firm in his defense and refusing to admit any wrongdoing. This defiant stance has become a hallmark of his legal strategy, even as pressure mounts from both the courts and the court of public opinion.
The investigation into Yoon’s actions is far from over. As reported by Jiji Press, the case continues to evolve, with new developments and additional individuals potentially implicated. The military law order at the center of the controversy remains a flashpoint, and prosecutors have hinted that further charges could be forthcoming. The proposed sentence, while significant, may not be the final word on Yoon’s legal fate.
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, was herself proposed a 15-year prison sentence earlier in December 2025 on unrelated charges. While the details of her case differ, the parallel prosecutions have fueled a sense of political drama rarely seen in South Korea’s recent history. The public, for its part, remains deeply divided—some see the prosecutions as a necessary reckoning for abuses of power at the highest level, while others view them as politically motivated attacks on a former leader.
The trial has also shone a spotlight on the broader challenges facing South Korea’s democracy. The use of martial law, even temporarily, is a profoundly serious step in any country. In Yoon’s case, the order’s issuance and rapid withdrawal have raised difficult questions about executive power, civil-military relations, and the balance between national security and individual rights. The prosecution’s argument—that Yoon sought to provoke North Korea into a military response to justify his actions—remains under investigation, but it underscores the high stakes involved.
Observers have noted that this case may set important precedents for how South Korea handles allegations of presidential misconduct in the future. The judiciary’s willingness to hold a former president accountable, regardless of their former status, is seen by some as a testament to the strength of the country’s legal institutions. Yet the ongoing nature of the investigation and the possibility of new charges mean that the final chapter has yet to be written.
The verdict is expected to be announced on January 16, 2026. Until then, the nation will be watching closely, with politicians, legal experts, and ordinary citizens all weighing in. The outcome will not only determine Yoon Suk Yeol’s personal fate but may also influence the trajectory of South Korean politics for years to come.
As the legal drama continues to unfold, one thing is clear: South Korea’s commitment to the rule of law is being tested in real time. Whether the courts deliver a harsh sentence or show leniency, the reverberations from this case will be felt far beyond the courtroom. For now, all eyes remain on Seoul, where history is being made, one day at a time.