Appeal hearings begin in ex-South Korea President Yoon's obstruction case

March 4, 2026 4:42 AM EST

People watch a news report on the sentencing trial of South Korean former president Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection case, stemming from his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hye

SEOUL, March 4 (Reuters) - ‌A South ​Korean ​court held an appeals hearing on Wednesday in a case involving former South Korean ‌President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was sentenced ⁠to five years in jail by a lower court on ‌charges including obstructing arrest ‌after his attempt to impose martial law.

* At the first hearing at the Seoul High Court ​onobstruction of justice and other charges stemming from hismartial law bid in December 2024, Yoon ⁠appeared in a dark navysuit, the Yonhap News Agency said. * Prosecutors, ​who had sought a 10-year term for Yoon,argued the five-year sentence was "far too lenient" given ​thatYoon had shown no remorse ‌and offered no apology to the public,according to Yonhap. * Yoon's legal team argued ⁠the five-year sentence alreadyexceeded his culpable responsibility, and the arrest warrantsagainst Yoon were invalid from the outset, calling ⁠on the courtto overturn the verdict and acquit him, Yonhap ​reported. * Given the floor by the presiding judge, Yoon again deniedwrongdoing, the report said. * The appeals trial comes weeks ‌after Yoon suffered a farmore severe legal blow in a separate case. The ‌former presidentwas sentenced to life in prison by ⁠a lower court, which ‌foundhim guilty of ​leading an insurrection during his short-livedimposition of martial law.

(Reporting by Joyce LeeEditing by Ed ‌Davies)



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