South Korean media: On January 16th, the court ruled that Yoon Suk Yeol had obstructed justice

YTN TV of South Korea reported on Tuesday (December 16) that the South Korean court plans to make a ruling on the charges of former President Yoon Suk Yeol for obstructing justice on January 16, 2026.

The Yonhap News Agency reported that the independent prosecutor's unit (the Independent Prosecutor's Unit) in charge of investigating the treason case involving former President Yoon Suk Yeol and others released its investigation results on Monday (15th), stating that Yoon Suk Yeol had planned to impose emergency martial law as early as before October 2023, with the aim of eliminating dissidents and seizing power.

The Independent Prosecutor's Office stated that after investigation and confirmation, Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned the "presidential emergency powers" on multiple occasions during his early tenure and is preparing for the implementation of emergency martial law starting from 2023. Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned during dinner with the then ruling People Power Party's leadership in November 2022 that "even if shot dead, everything must be cleared," and a senior official from the investigation agency also confessed. It was heard around July and August 2022 that Yoon Suk Yeol planned to declare martial law after the parliamentary election.

The independent Prosecutor's Office pointed out that Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to mobilize the military to use force to prevent political activities, disrupt the normal functioning of the National Assembly, and establish a temporary legislative body to control legislative and judicial powers. The judicial risks involved in Yoon Suk Yeol's wife, Kim Geon Hee, such as the election of the "political broker" Myeong Tae Kyun and the stock price manipulation case, also contributed to the implementation of emergency martial law.