• Prosecutors request a 10-year prison term for ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol.
• The charges include obstruction of justice and attempts to impose martial law.
• A verdict is expected on January 16, following hearings in four trials.

South Korean prosecutors on Friday sought a 10-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, stemming from his attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, which escalated into significant political turmoil. During the final hearings, prosecutors cited his actions as obstructing justice, including preventing investigators from arresting him by barricading himself in the presidential compound and excluding Cabinet members from meetings regarding martial law orders. A Seoul court is set to announce its verdict on January 16, according to Channel News Asia and AA.

The prosecution's case highlights that Yoon's actions severely disrupted the legal order in the Republic of Korea, with special prosecutors stating his alleged misconduct included drafting and destroying an official proclamation related to martial law. Amidst these serious allegations, Yoon's legal team has requested the courts to delay a verdict until after the conclusion of a more significant insurrection trial scheduled for February. The implications of the upcoming verdict extend beyond this trial, as it may affect the proceedings of the insurrection case, according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.

If convicted, Yoon could face additional sentences from the more serious charges he faces, including leading an insurrection, which carries penalties as severe as death or life imprisonment. This trial marks the first of four related to his martial law declaration, and it reflects ongoing tensions within South Korea's political landscape. Following his impeachment in April, Yoon has asserted that his actions were intended to counter perceived threats from pro-North Korean elements, underscoring the politically charged atmosphere surrounding his trials, as reported by South China Morning Post and AA.