[News Today] Arrest obstruction verdict on Jan. 16

[LEAD]
The court is expected to deliver its first verdict on former President Yoon Suk Yeol on January 16.

The ruling will determine whether he obstructed the execution of an arrest warrant, a charge separate from the insurrection case.

Yoon has strongly objected to the timing, asking the court to delay the sentencing until after the insurrection trial.

The request was rejected.

[REPORT]
Former president Yoon Suk Yeol is on trial for obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, in addition to leading an insurrection.

The court set the sentencing date for one month later in accordance with the Appointment of Independent Prosecutor Act.

Baek Dae-hyun / Presiding judge (Dec. 16)
The first-trial verdict must be rendered within six months of the indictment.
The verdict for this case will be issued on Jan. 16, 2026.

This will be the first verdict among the five cases for which Yoon is being tried.

But the former president says it should come after the insurrection trial ruling.

He believes the outcome could change if he is found not guilty of insurrection.

Yoon Suk Yeol / Former President (Dec. 16)
If it is not insurrection, the president’s right of judgment should be respected.

However, the court has dismissed his claim.

Baek Dae-hyun / Presiding judge (Dec. 16)
The key point of this case is not whether a declaration of martial law in itself constitutes insurrection or is illegal.

This claim from Yoon's legal team is apparently based on the fact that Yoon's detention period is soon to expire.

The insurrection trial verdict is expected in February next year, but his detention period is set to expire on Jan. 18.

If the verdict is delayed, he might be released.

If Yoon is sentenced to prison for obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant and is detained immediately in the courtroom on Jan. 16, he will not be released when his current detention period ends.

However, before that, another detention warrant could be issued for Yoon for treason charges involving the Pyongyang drone incident.

The warrant hearing is scheduled for Dec. 23.

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