Yoon Suk Yeol Insurrection Trial: Sentencing Request Postponed to Jan 13

The wait for justice takes a brief pause. A South Korean court has unexpectedly postponed the hearing for the sentencing request against former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces insurrection charges following his 2024 martial law declaration.

Seoul Court Reschedules Yoon Suk Yeol Insurrection Trial Sentencing Request

According to Yonhap News, the Seoul Central District Court announced on Friday, January 9, 2026, that it'll hold an additional hearing next Tuesday to hear the sentencing request from special counsel Cho Eun-suk. The decision came during what was initially expected to be the final hearing of the landmark trial.

The bench decided to delay the proceedings to ensure a thorough review before the prosecution delivers its final recommendation. Previously, the special counsel had sought a 10-year prison term in related obstruction of justice charges, though the insurrection case carries significantly more weight.

Trial Context and Timeline

Yoon's trial has gripped the nation since his controversial martial law declaration. While the former president has denied several charges—including the alleged deployment of drones to justify the decree—the court is meticulously merging various insurrection-related cases involving former defense and police chiefs.