A Seoul appellate court has paused the appeals trial of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol due to a recusal request from his lawyers. This decision came before the anticipated first formal hearing, following Yoon’s earlier sentencing to life imprisonment for attempting martial law in December 2024. Yoon’s legal team raised concerns about a fair trial, prompting the request to remove all three judges involved.
The appellate bench’s move to halt proceedings was in response to the recusal request, a standard procedure under the law. Notably, the trial involves not only Yoon but also seven other officials linked to his martial law attempt. The judges decided to postpone Yoon’s proceedings and set a new hearing date, as both Yoon and his legal representatives were absent from the trial session.
Yoon Suk Yeol faces a series of legal battles, including corruption allegations related to his wife and the 2023 death of a Marine. The recent development follows a separate request by the South Korean special counsel team for a four-year prison term for Yoon over allegations of receiving free polling services. The legal saga continues for the ex-president amidst ongoing trials and legal challenges.
