Seoul: The first formal trial concerning former President Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged acceptance of free polling services from Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, is set to commence on March 17. The trial will continue at weekly intervals, as confirmed by the Seoul Central District Court following a preparatory hearing on Tuesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon has been indicted by a special counsel team on charges of receiving the results of 58 opinion polls valued at 270 million won (approximately US$186,000) from Myung without payment between April 2021 and March 2022. Myung faces charges for offering these free opinion polls, which is considered a violation of the Political Funds Act.

Yoon's wife, Kim Keon Hee, faces similar charges and is scheduled to receive the court's verdict on Wednesday. The special counsel, led by Min Joong-ki, suspects that the complimentary opinion polls were provided in exchange for the couple's assistance in securing candidate nominations for the June 2022 parliamentary by-elections.