LEGAL HEADACHES
In addition, Yoon faces a separate trial on charges of aiding the enemy over allegations that he sent military drones into North Korea earlier in 2024.
Special prosecutors are seeking a 30-year sentence in that case, arguing that Yoon ordered the incursion to provoke a response from Pyongyang that would strengthen his pretext for declaring martial law.
Yoon’s legal team have denied the charge, saying he gave “no prior order or subsequent approval” for the operation cited by prosecutors.
Yoon’s wife, former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, is also languishing in prison for unrelated corruption crimes.
Initially sentenced in January to 20 months for bribery, her penalty was increased to four years on Tuesday after an appeals court reversed her acquittal for stock price manipulation.
Lawyers for Kim told AFP they would appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court.
