Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol will not pursue a constitutional appeal against his recent Supreme Court conviction on charges of obstruction of justice. Yoon's legal representatives announced this decision on Monday, emphasizing his stance against contesting final court rulings.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Supreme Court upheld a seven-year prison sentence for Yoon on July 9. The conviction was for obstructing justice by preventing investigators from detaining him following his unsuccessful attempt to declare martial law in December 2024. Yoon's legal team considered filing a constitutional petition due to perceived inconsistencies with legal precedents but ultimately decided against it.
Yoon's legal team explained that constitutional appeals, which challenge final court rulings, are challenging to align with the judicial system envisioned by the current Constitution. This decision comes in the context of judicial reform laws enacted in March, which allow individuals to file petitions questioning the constitutionality of finalized court decisions.
This Supreme Court ruling is the first finalized decision for Yoon, who faces multiple criminal trials after his unexpected declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, and his subsequent removal from office. His primary trial on charges of leading an insurrection is ongoing at an appellate court, following a life sentence handed down by a lower court in February.