Special counsel files appeal against court acquittal of ex-President Yoon on perjury charge

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team submitted an appeal to the Seoul High Court challenging the recent acquittal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on perjury allegations tied to the insurrection trial of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The appeal follows a six-day interval after the appellate panel affirmed the lower court's finding that Yoon did not provide false testimony during a November hearing about his intent to convene a cabinet meeting before declaring martial law on Dec. 3, 2024.

Prosecutors had argued that Yoon initially called only six cabinet members and later expanded the list to meet a quorum, allegedly at Han's urging, and had requested a fine of 10 million won. The court, however, determined that the evidence indicated Yoon independently decided to invite additional members, leading to his exoneration. The special counsel now seeks to overturn that judgment.