Case Explained:This article breaks down the legal background, charges, and implications of Case Explained: Ex-Supreme Court chief justice appeals suspended prison sentence in power abuse case – Legal Perspective
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae arrives at the Seoul High Court to attend his sentencing hearing over charges of power abuse, Jan. 30. Yonhap
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae on Monday appealed against an appellate court ruling that sentenced him to a suspended prison term for abusing his power through wrongful interference in trials, legal sources said.
Last Friday, the Seoul High Court handed down the six-month sentence, suspended for one year, reversing a lower court ruling that had acquitted him of charges related to his alleged abuse of judiciary power.
The 78-year-old, who headed the top court from 2011-17, was accused by prosecutors of having used trials as bargaining chips in dealings with the then administration of President Park Geun-hye.
Immediately after the verdict, Yang’s lawyers vowed to appeal, saying it went against established legal principles for power abuse charges.
The ruling marked the first time a former Supreme Court chief justice was found guilty in a criminal trial.