The special counsel on insurrection sought a two-year prison term for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was additionally indicted on charges of giving false testimony as a witness in the trial of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The special counsel said that although there was no intention to convene a Cabinet meeting at the time martial law was declared, Yoon gave false testimony in court as if he had intended to undergo deliberation even before Han's recommendation.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 32 (Presiding Judge Ryu Kyung-jin, senior judge) held a final hearing on the perjury charge against Yoon on the 16th. The special counsel asked the court that day to sentence the former president to two years in prison.
The case began when Yoon, on Nov. 19 last year, appeared as a witness in Han's trial on charges including engaging in important duties related to insurrection and testified as if the Cabinet meeting had been planned even before Han's recommendation on the day martial law was declared. When the special counsel asked at the time, "Did Han recommend convening a Cabinet meeting to give it a lawful appearance?" Yoon shot back, "Cabinet members are not dolls brought in to provide an appearance, and isn't that a question that reflects your intent too much?"
As grounds for the sentencing request, the special counsel cited the documents and procedures prepared at the time. The special counsel said that while Yoon had prepared a martial law proclamation, a presidential address, a decree, and special directive documents, no documents or papers necessary for Cabinet deliberation had been prepared at all. It added, "It is clear that the testimony that he intended to undergo deliberation even before Han's recommendation is false testimony contrary to memory."
The special counsel said that although Yoon, as president, was in a position to uphold the Constitution and the law and protect the people's lives and bodies, he declared martial law and caused national turmoil, and later attempted to conceal the truth with false testimony in court. The lack of remorse and the repetition of the same claims were also cited as reasons for a heavy sentence.
Yoon's side was reported to have countered at the hearing that the procedure for a Cabinet meeting to declare martial law had been prepared in advance, and that only contact with some economy and livelihood Ministers was delayed. After hearing the final opinions of both the special counsel and the defendant, the court will designate a sentencing date later.