President Yoon Suk Yeol in the defendant's seat [Yonhap News file photo]

The Supreme Court will begin accepting applications for public observation of the sentencing hearing for President Yoon Suk Yeol's case involving the obstruction of an arrest by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on the 9th. 

The Supreme Court announced through a notice on its website on the 3rd that "to maintain order in the courtroom and ensure smooth entry, we will accept online applications for public admission."

Those wishing to observe the hearing may submit an application form via email to the Supreme Court (scourt1336@scourt.go.kr) from today until 6:00 p.m. on the 7th.

The Supreme Court will conduct a lottery on the 8th and notify the winners individually via text message by 6:00 p.m. that day.

The seating available for public observation in Courtroom No. 1, where the sentencing will take place, consists of 48 general seats, 2 seats for the disabled, and 2 seats for disability support assistants. Depending on the circumstances, additional seating may be allocated in Courtroom No. 2 (video courtroom).

Meanwhile, the special prosecutor team led by Cho Eun-seok requested that the Supreme Court permit a live broadcast of the sentencing on the day of the hearing.

The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the request for a broadcast. If the Supreme Court allows it, this would mark the first time in history that a sentencing by a petty bench, rather than the full bench, is broadcast live.

The Supreme Court's Third Petty Bench (presided by Justice Lee Sook-yeon) is scheduled to deliver its verdict on the appeal of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces charges including special obstruction of official duties and abuse of power, at 2:00 p.m. on the 9th.

This will be the first Supreme Court ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol since the December 3 martial law declaration, approximately 1 year and 7 months (583 days) ago.