The special prosecutor's team has requested a five-year prison sentence for Yoon Seok-yeol, who is accused of facilitating the escape of former Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop to Australia. Yoon's defense argues that his actions were a legitimate exercise of his authority.
During a sentencing hearing on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court, the special prosecutor's team asked the court to impose a five-year sentence on Yoon, who faces charges of aiding a fugitive and abusing his power.
Co-defendants Cho Tae-yong, former head of the National Security Office, and Park Sung-jae, former Minister of Justice, are facing three-year sentences, while former officials Lee Si-won, Jang Ho-jin, and Shim Woo-jung are each facing two years.
The special prosecutor's team stated, "The defendants turned a blind eye to the truth and conducted a formal review to facilitate Lee's appointment as ambassador, mechanically processing the procedure to lift his travel ban. This was not an isolated incident but an organized effort to conceal the truth."
In contrast, Yoon's attorney argued, "The special prosecutor's team has framed the legitimate exercise of presidential authority as if it had an illegal motive from the start. If there are penalties for exercising presidential authority, it will inevitably deter future actions in the national interest."
In his final statement, Yoon remarked, "For a year, despite Lee's requests for an investigation, he was not called in for questioning. I wonder if the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission truly intended to investigate." He also challenged the special prosecutor's team, saying, "You think you are safe, right? Prosecuting without clear evidence can be an abuse of power and a violation of political neutrality."
All co-defendants, including Cho and Park, have denied the charges and asserted their innocence.
Yoon is on trial for allegedly appointing Lee, a key suspect in the investigation into the death of Marine Chae Sang-byeong in November 2023, as ambassador to Australia to facilitate his escape. The special prosecutor's team believes Yoon aimed to obstruct the investigation against him, while Yoon's side maintains it was a normal exercise of governmental duties. The first-instance sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 11.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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