Post by : Meena Ariff

South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court on Friday, September 26, marking the start of a new trial on obstruction charges. Yoon had previously boycotted a separate trial related to an alleged insurrection involving a failed martial law bid.

The 64-year-old former president appeared noticeably slimmer, with greyer, cropped hair, after spending more than two months out of public view in prison. Since early July, he had refused to attend trial, citing health concerns.

Fresh Obstruction Charges

Yoon faces fresh charges of obstruction for allegedly blocking investigators from arresting him in January, following the suspension of his presidential powers by parliament. During the incident, he reportedly barricaded himself inside the presidential compound.

The new indictment was issued by a special prosecutor appointed in June. The prosecutor’s team has expanded the investigation to include several former government and military officials alongside Yoon.

Ongoing Investigations and Legal Battles

Yoon, who was removed from office in April by the Constitutional Court, is also under investigation by another special prosecutor. This probe has already led to the indictment of his wife for corruption.

The former president has denied all wrongdoing. He claims that declaring martial law in December fell within his presidential powers and has described all investigations as politically motivated.

Potential Sentences

The obstruction charges carry a potential prison term of over three years if Yoon is convicted. He is already facing extremely serious penalties, including death or life imprisonment, under the ongoing insurrection case.

Yoon’s trials and investigations mark an unprecedented legal scrutiny of a former South Korean president. Observers note that the cases reflect both political tensions and legal accountability in the country’s modern history.