Ex-Supreme Court chief justice appeals suspended prison sentence in power abuse case

▲ Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae arrives at the Seoul High Court in the capital on Jan. 30, 2026, to attend his sentencing hearing over charges of power abuse. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

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Ex-Supreme Court chief justice appeals suspended prison sentence in power abuse case

SEOUL, Feb. 2 (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.

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