First Verdicts for Yoon and Kim Expected from January... Three Special Prosecutor Trials to Begin in Earnest

[Financial News] Major court cases are set to unfold one after another from the beginning of 2026. The first-instance verdicts for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, charged with obstruction of arrest, and for Kim Keon Hee, implicated in the DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. stock manipulation case, are expected. As the couple stands at the center of several cases handled by three special prosecutor teams, these trials are anticipated to serve as a bellwether for other proceedings, including those related to insurrection. Verdicts are also scheduled for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, charged with engaging in critical insurrection-related duties, and for People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong, accused of violating the Political Funds Act.

According to the legal community on the 31st, the first-instance verdict for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was indicted on charges of obstructing the execution of special official duties and abuse of power, will be delivered on January 16.
The special prosecutor team for insurrection and foreign exchange crimes has sought a total of 10 years in prison for Yoon Suk Yeol: five years for obstruction of arrest, three years for infringing on the deliberation and decision-making rights of cabinet members, spreading false information to foreign journalists, and destroying evidence related to secure phones, and two years for drafting a post-incident martial law proclamation. The special prosecutor explained, “The defendant committed a grave crime by privatizing state institutions to conceal and justify his wrongdoing.”
However, Yoon Suk Yeol, in a nearly hour-long final statement, argued, “The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) claims to have discovered insurrection while investigating abuse of power, but it has no jurisdiction over abuse of power.” He continued, “Due to the unconstitutional dictatorship of the National Assembly, state affairs were paralyzed and constitutional order collapsed. The cause of the national emergency was the major opposition party, and all we could do was urge the public to wake up, pay attention, and offer criticism.”
As this is the first verdict for Yoon Suk Yeol, the outcome is expected to influence subsequent trials. Even if the court does not directly rule on the legitimacy of martial law, it will likely have to assess the justification Yoon Suk Yeol claims for the imposition of martial law when determining whether the refusal to execute the arrest warrant was unlawful.
The first-instance verdict for Kim Keon Hee is scheduled for January 28. She faces charges related to the DEUTSCH MOTORS INC. stock manipulation case, alleged involvement in the nomination of Myung Tae-gyun, and the so-called Geonjin Buddhist lobbying case. Prosecutors have requested a total of 15 years in prison and a fine of 200 million won. Additional trials involving Kim Keon Hee, such as the Unification Church–People Power Party collusion case and the alleged sale of public offices, are also pending, raising the possibility that Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Keon Hee may appear in court together.

Verdicts are also expected for high-profile figures such as former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong. Han Duck-soo’s first-instance verdict, on charges of engaging in critical insurrection-related duties, is set for January 21. As the Prime Minister, he was obliged to check the President’s arbitrary exercise of authority but is accused of failing to prevent and instead condoning the illegal proclamation of martial law. Prosecutors have sought a 15-year prison sentence. Han Duck-soo pleaded, “Although I failed to prevent martial law, I never supported or assisted in its imposition.”
Kweon Seong-dong, who was indicted and detained for allegedly receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church, will receive his verdict on January 28. The Kim Keon Hee special prosecutor team stated, “By colluding with a specific religious group to receive a large sum of 100 million won, he undermined constitutional values and betrayed public trust.” Prosecutors have requested a four-year prison sentence. Kweon Seong-dong denied the allegations, saying, “Visiting religious groups to campaign during elections is normal political activity. The special prosecutor’s claims are a one-sided attack on me and my party.” The verdict for Yoon Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, will also be delivered on the same day.
Trials by the three special prosecutor teams are also picking up speed. The sentencing hearing for former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who was indicted for ordering power and water cuts to media outlets, will be held on January 12. The formal trial for Yoon Suk Yeol’s alleged Pyongyang drone infiltration case begins the same day, while the trial for the alleged illegal public opinion poll involving Myung Tae-gyun will start on January 27.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter