Special Prosecutor Seeks 2-Year Sentence for Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Over Perjury Allegations
Special prosecutors have requested a two-year prison sentence for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, alleging he provided false testimony during the trial of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The request was made during a closing hearing on April 16, 2026, at the Seoul Central District Court.
The perjury charges center on the events surrounding the emergency martial law declaration on December 3. According to the special counsel led by Cho Eun-seok, Yoon falsely claimed during Han’s trial that he had intended to hold a cabinet meeting on the day the martial law was declared. Prosecutors argue that Yoon had no such intention and failed to prepare any supporting documents for such a meeting.
The prosecution further alleged that rather than following legal protocols, Yoon conspired with Han Duck-soo and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to falsely draft the martial law proclamation after the fact. This case highlights the legal complexities and the high-stakes battle over the legitimacy of the December 3 actions.
During the proceedings, the special counsel emphasized the severity of the offense, noting that Yoon served as a prosecutor for more than 20 years. The prosecution argued that Yoon was acutely aware of the gravity of perjury but chose to lie to protect Han—a co-conspirator in the rebellion case—and to minimize his own legal culpability. “The defendant has repeated false claims to conceal the truth even now, instead of showing remorse,” the prosecution stated, adding that the nature of the crime is grave as it occurred in a trial watched by the entire nation.
In his final statement, Yoon denied the allegations of perjury. He maintained his previous position, stating that even as he intended to hold the cabinet meeting, it was difficult to summon all members due to the necessity of maintaining security.
The move underscores the ongoing judicial effort to establish a factual record of the martial law events. The court, presided over by Judge Ryu Kyung-jin of Criminal Division 32, is scheduled to deliver its verdict on May 28, 2026.
For more details, see the Special Prosecutor’s request for a 2-year sentence for Yoon Suk Yeol’s perjury in Han Duck-soo’s trial.
