Yoon Seok-yeol Decides Not to File Constitutional Petition Over 'Obstruction of Arrest' Conviction... "Incompatible With Constitutional Order"

Legal Team Raises “Legal Questions on Supreme Court Ruling”
Decides Not to File Constitutional Petition Despite Seven-Year Sentence Being Finalized

Former President Yoon Seok-yeol has decided not to file a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court regarding the case in which he was sentenced to seven years in prison for charges including obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO).

On the 9th, the Third Division of the Supreme Court (Presiding Justice Lee Sook-yeon) finalized a 7-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was prosecuted for obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO). Citizens are watching related broadcasts at Seoul Station. 2026.07.09 Photo by Yoon Dongju

On July 20, Yoon’s legal team issued a statement declaring, "A judicial complaint against a final court ruling is incompatible with the judicial system set forth by the current Constitution, and it does not align with former President Yoon's consistent constitutional viewpoint."

The legal team criticized the Supreme Court decision for not referring the case to the full bench, despite the presence of major issues such as the investigative authority of the CIO, presidential immunity from prosecution, the scope of criminal investigations during a president’s term, and searches of military secret locations.

They further argued, "The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal by treating most of the key legal matters as matters of fact and discretion," and added, "Questions remain, both in terms of legal reasoning and constitutionality, as to whether the top court fulfilled its duty to ensure the consistency of precedents and legal stability."

There were reportedly differing opinions within the legal team on whether to pursue further review through procedures such as a judicial complaint to the Constitutional Court. However, in line with former President Yoon’s wishes, they ultimately decided not to file a judicial complaint, respecting the current constitutional structure of the judiciary and the separation of powers among institutions.

On July 9, the Supreme Court’s Third Division (Presiding Justice Lee Sook-yeon) finalized the lower court’s decision sentencing former President Yoon to seven years in prison on charges including obstruction of special government duties and abuse of power.

The Supreme Court held that the CIO had the authority to investigate the related crime of insurrection while investigating the charge of abuse of power, and also found that the execution of arrest and search warrants at the presidential residence was lawful.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.