Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol's legal team has officially filed an appeal against a court ruling that sentenced him to five years in prison for obstruction of justice, among other charges. The appeal was submitted on Monday in response to a decision by the Seoul Central District Court, which last Friday found Yoon guilty of obstructing investigators' efforts to detain him at his official residence in January of last year.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the charges against Yoon are tied to his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. The former president was accused of instructing the Presidential Security Service to prevent investigators from executing a detention warrant. Yoon's legal representatives immediately announced their intention to appeal, criticizing the court's decision as "unacceptable" and claiming it was not grounded in the facts established during the investigation.

At a press conference, Yoon's lawyers confirmed they lodged the appeal at 4 p.m. on Monday. They contended that procedural errors were made by the court, highlighting that they were initially informed that last Friday's session was a final trial hearing, only to have it unexpectedly changed to a sentencing date. Furthermore, they argued that evidence they sought to present was dismissed without adequate consideration of its importance or relevance.

"Given the public interest and historic importance (of the case), the process of demonstration guided by law and conscience should have been more elaborate and thorough," the legal team emphasized. They also suggested potential legal action against the trial divisions responsible for insurrection-related cases, including Yoon's case, questioning their constitutionality.

"There is a debate over the unconstitutionality of the insurrection divisions," one of Yoon's attorneys stated. "We plan to review additional legal measures and implement them accordingly."