Seoul: A Seoul court on Thursday acquitted former President Yoon Suk Yeol of perjury over allegations that he gave false testimony during former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's insurrection trial. The court's decision marks a significant development in a series of legal challenges facing Yoon.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the former president was indicted on charges of giving a false impression during Han's trial last year. The charges stemmed from Yoon's testimony regarding a Cabinet meeting he convened shortly before declaring martial law on December 3, 2024, suggesting it was planned independently of Han's proposal.

The Seoul Central District Court found it challenging to determine Yoon's testimony as contrary to his own recollection, highlighting a "high" possibility that he may have intended to hold the Cabinet meeting regardless of Han's suggestion. This ruling has led to Yoon's acquittal on the perjury charge.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team had initially sought a two-year prison sentence for Yoon over the perjury charge. During Han's trial in November, Yoon, acting as a witness, faced questions about whether the former prime minister had proposed the Cabinet meeting to give procedural legitimacy to the martial law declaration. Yoon countered the question, asserting that Cabinet members are not mere figures for appearances.

The special counsel team had charged Yoon with perjury in December, arguing that his original intention did not include a Cabinet meeting, but he altered his plans following Han's suggestion. Despite this, the court's ruling favored Yoon, who remains embroiled in multiple legal battles.

Yoon has been in custody since July and is facing eight trials related to his failed attempt to impose martial law, corruption allegations involving his wife, and the 2023 death of a Marine. In another significant trial, Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment in February for leading an insurrection through the martial law attempt.