Seoul: A Seoul court has acquitted former President Yoon Suk Yeol of charges related to the appointment of a former defense minister as ambassador to Australia in 2023. The Seoul Central District Court announced the verdict, clearing Yoon of accusations of aiding a criminal's escape and abusing his power.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the special counsel team led by Lee Myeong-hyeon had sought a five-year prison sentence for Yoon. They accused him of ordering the appointment of former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as ambassador to Australia to evade an investigation into the alleged cover-up of a Marine's death. The special counsel argued that Yoon's actions were intended to prevent the investigation from implicating him.

The court, however, ruled that Yoon's instructions could not be conclusively interpreted as an attempt to interfere with the investigation. It acknowledged that the decision might reflect a head of state's authority over personnel appointments rather than an attempt to obstruct justice.

In addition to Yoon, the court also acquitted five other former officials, including former National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong and former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, who were indicted in the case.

Yoon is facing several other legal challenges, including trials related to a failed bid to impose martial law in 2024 and allegations of corruption involving his wife. His main trial for leading an insurrection through the martial law attempt is ongoing in an appellate court, following a life sentence handed down by a lower court in February.