#South Korea politics

The final hearing for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection trial took place on Jan 9, 2026. Experts watch closely as the death penalty remains a legal possibility.

The Seoul High Court will meet on Jan 15 to discuss guidelines for special insurrection benches handling former President Yoon Suk Yeol's 2024 martial law case.

President Lee Jae Myung's 2026 New Year address outlines his role as a 'pacemaker' for North Korea-U.S. talks and a new era of the U.S. alliance, including nuclear-powered submarine projects.

President Lee Jae-myung's nomination of Lee Hye-hoon as budget minister faces backlash over her past support for martial law. Read about the political fallout and the new ministry.

South Korean special prosecutors seek a 15-year prison sentence for former First Lady Kim Keon-hee over bribery and state interference. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol faces insurrection charges.

Prosecutors demand a 15-year sentence for Kim Keon Hee over $263,000 in bribes and state meddling. Read about the Chanel bags, Dior scandal, and the upcoming Jan 2026 verdict.

On Dec 29, 2025, Special Counsel Min Joong-ki announced the final results of the Kim Keon Hee investigation, detailing illegal state intervention and 370 million won in bribes. Read the full report.

South Korea's NIS has dropped all complaints and apologized to former chiefs Suh Hoon and Park Jie-won following their acquittal in the 2020 border killing case.

On Dec 28, 2025, South Korea's special counsel concluded its 180-day probe into former first lady Kim Keon Hee, indicting 66 people for stock manipulation and bribery.

South Korea's rival political parties have reached a surprise agreement to appoint a special counsel to investigate a major scandal involving the Unification Church. The probe follows public pressure and could implicate high-profile figures from both parties.