Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to receive his first sentencing recommendation Friday on charges related to his December 2024 imposition of martial law. The final hearing of his trial on obstruction of justice and other charges is scheduled to begin at the Seoul Central District Court at 10:15 a.m., with testimony from members of his former Cabinet.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the special counsel team that investigated Yoon's case is expected to present its final opinion and sentencing recommendation in the afternoon. This will be followed by final arguments from Yoon's lawyers and a final statement from the former president himself. The trial focuses on charges that Yoon obstructed justice by preventing investigators from detaining him in January. Additional charges include violating the rights of nine Cabinet members who were not consulted on his martial law plan and drafting and destroying a revised proclamation after the decree was lifted.

Yoon is also facing three other trials related to his unsuccessful martial law attempt, including charges of leading an insurrection. The obstruction of justice trial will be the first to reach its conclusion. The court has indicated that a verdict is likely to be delivered on January 16, two days before Yoon's arrest period is set to expire.

Yoon's legal team argued that the verdict should be postponed until after the insurrection trial concludes; however, the judge dismissed this claim. The insurrection trial is expected to conclude by early January at the earliest, which could result in a verdict around February.