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Park Sung‑jae Denies Insurrection Role as Yoon’s Appeal Intensifies

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Park Sung‑jae Testifies and Rejects All Insurrection Accusations On 26 January 2026, former Justice Minister Park Sung‑jae appeared before the Seoul Central District Court, formally denying prosecutors’ claim that he aided President Yoon Suk‑Yeol’s December 2024 martial‑law attempt; the hearing marked the first session after special counsel Cho Eun‑suk’s indictment last month [1].

Prosecutors Detail Park’s Alleged Participation in Martial‑Law Execution The indictment asserts Park convened senior ministry officials, ordered the possible deployment of prosecutors to a martial‑law‑related organ, and acted on a request from First Lady Kim Keon‑Hee to clear her of criminal charges, violations that form the basis of the insurrection charge [1].

Defense Maintains Park Opposed the Martial‑Law Declaration Park’s lawyers argue he consistently opposed the 3 December 2024 martial‑law decree, failed to persuade President Yoon to rescind it, and now feels profound remorse for the constitutional confusion it caused, emphasizing his lack of support for the decree [1].

Yoon Suk‑Yeol Receives Five‑Year Sentence for Obstructing Detention and Appeals The Seoul Central District Court sentenced the former president to five years in prison on 19 January 2026 for ordering the Presidential Security Service to block investigators from detaining him at the presidential residence during a January 2025 attempt linked to the 2024 martial‑law episode; Yoon’s legal team filed an appeal the same day, citing procedural errors and dismissed evidence [3][4].

Special Counsel Files Appeal and Pushes Death Penalty for Yoon On 22 January 2026, the special counsel team appealed the five‑year obstruction ruling and reiterated a separate request for the death penalty on the insurrection charge, with a verdict on that charge scheduled for 19 February 2026, underscoring the broader legal pressure on Yoon and his allies [2][1].

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Timeline

Dec 3, 2024 – President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law, mobilises troops and police to seal the National Assembly, orders arrests of the Assembly speaker and opposition leaders, and claims the move “protects the nation from anti‑state forces”[13].

July 17, 2025 – Special counsel Cho Eun‑suk files indictments charging Yoon with obstruction of justice, abuse of power, falsifying documents and destroying evidence tied to the December 2024 martial‑law episode[27].

Dec 11, 2025 – Former Justice Minister Park Sung‑jae is indicted on insurrection charges for coordinating senior ministry actions that supported Yoon’s martial‑law regime and for violating a solicitation ban at the request of Yoon’s wife[30].

Dec 26, 2025 – Independent counsel seeks a 10‑year prison term for Yoon in the first martial‑law trial, accusing him of obstruction, abuse of power and document falsification; Yoon’s lawyers call the request “excessive and politically motivated”[24].

Dec 28, 2025 – Prosecutors request a 10‑year sentence, describing Yoon’s deployment of armed presidential security to block a lawful arrest as “a fundamental betrayal of constitutional duties”[23].

Jan 8, 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court schedules the final insurrection hearing for Yoon, with special counsel expected to seek the death penalty, life imprisonment or life without forced labour; a verdict is slated for early February[21].

Jan 9, 2026 – Judges postpone the sentencing recommendation and closing arguments to the following Tuesday, extending the trial timeline and keeping the February sentencing window open[20].

Jan 12, 2026 – Special counsel asks for a 15‑year prison term for ex‑interior minister Lee Sang‑min, alleging he failed to stop the illegal martial‑law decree and ordered power cuts to critical media outlets[19].

Jan 13, 2026 – Prosecutors present a death‑penalty request, labeling Yoon the “ringleader of an insurrection” who aimed to seize the judiciary and legislature; they also seek life sentences for former defence minister Kim Yong‑hyun and 20‑year terms for former police chief Cho Ji‑ho[13][15].

Jan 14, 2026 – Independent counsel files a death‑penalty request in the insurrection case, invoking the 1996 Chun Doo‑hwan precedent and noting South Korea has not executed anyone since 1997[14].

Jan 15, 2026 – Prosecutors seek the death penalty for Yoon on rebellion charges, arguing the martial‑law decree “undermined the constitutional order” and that “no mitigating circumstances exist”[2][12].

Jan 16, 2026 – Seoul court sentences Yoon to five years in prison for obstruction of justice, finding he ordered the Presidential Security Service to block investigators, “privatized the armed forces,” and showed no remorse[1][9].

Jan 17, 2026 – Media reports note the five‑year sentence marks the first ruling that declares Yoon’s martial‑law decree illegal and highlights the privatization of the Presidential Security Service[8].

Jan 19, 2026 – Yoon’s legal team files an appeal against the five‑year obstruction sentence, citing procedural errors and insufficient consideration of key documents[6].

Feb 12, 2026 – Court is scheduled to deliver a verdict on ex‑interior minister Lee Sang‑min’s 15‑year sentencing request in the martial‑law insurrection case[19].

Feb 19, 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court is set to issue its ruling on the rebellion/insurrection charge against Yoon, a decision that could determine whether the death penalty, life imprisonment or a lesser term is imposed[4][15].

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