South Korean prosecutors demand 10-year sentence for ex-president

Charges center on obstruction of justice

According to local media reports, including Yonhap, the special counsel team led by Cho Eun-suk argued for the severe penalty. The core charges allege Yoon obstructed justice by preventing his own detention, violated the rights of cabinet members excluded from key meetings, and drafted then destroyed a revised martial law proclamation.

A former leader facing multiple trials

This trial is one of four separate legal proceedings against the former head of state. The most serious is an insurrection trial connected to the failed martial law bid. The obstruction case is expected to conclude first, with a verdict anticipated on January 16. Yoon holds the distinction of being the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, which occurred last January.

A stark example of political accountability

The case underscores the robust judicial accountability for top leaders in South Korea, a democratic ally of Türkiye in Asia. Yoon was formally removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April and has remained in custody since his re-arrest in July, marking a dramatic fall from power.