South Korean prosecutors press for death sentence in Yoon martial law case
South Korean prosecutors are pressing for the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk-yeol as he appeals his life sentence for insurrection.
South Korean prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed attempt to impose military rule. The team led by special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk renewed the demand at an appeal hearing in Seoul on Thursday, arguing that Yoon's actions threatened South Korea's democracy.
Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment in February after being convicted of leading an insurrection. Prosecutors had initially sought the death penalty at Yoon's original trial in January, but the court imposed a life sentence the following month.
Martial Law Declaration
Yoon declared martial law on December 3, 2024, deploying soldiers and police to the National Assembly, South Korea's parliament. Lawmakers overcame a security blockade to vote down the measure, forcing the government to withdraw it about six hours after it was announced.
There was no reason to hesitate over imposing the death penalty
Legal Defense
The lower court found that Yoon had tried to stop parliament from functioning, detain political opponents and remain in control of the country for an extended period. Yoon's lawyers maintained he intended to warn an opposition-controlled parliament against obstructing his government, not to establish authoritarian rule.
South Korea retains the death penalty but has not carried out an execution since 1997. Prosecutors argued this long pause should not prevent judges from sentencing Yoon to death. The appeals court plans two more hearings, including Yoon's final statement on November 5.
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