Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
South Korean prosecutor seeks death penalty for former President Yoon
South Korean prosecutors have asked for the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol in his appeal trial in Seoul.
The case concerns his brief martial law declaration in December 2024, which lasted about six hours before lawmakers voted to overturn it.
A lower court found that Yoon illegally used troops and police to try to seize the legislature and arrest political opponents.
Yoon is appealing a life sentence for rebellion, while prosecutors say that punishment was too lenient.
He says the martial law order was intended to warn the public about actions by the opposition-led legislature, not to establish authoritarian rule.
An execution is unlikely, as South Korea has not carried one out since 1997.
The Seoul High Court plans more hearings before setting a date for its decision.
A South Korean special prosecutor sought the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol in his appeal trial over his December 2024 declaration of martial law.
Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment for rebellion by a lower court in February, and the Seoul High Court has not set a date for its appeal verdict.
Prosecutors say his actions threatened democracy and that the lower court’s sentence was too lenient.
Yoon’s legal team says the martial law declaration was intended to raise awareness of what he described as attempts to paralyze state affairs, and denies he intended harm or authoritarian rule.
South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997.
- Who
- Former President Yoon Suk Yeol and the special prosecutor’s team led by Cho Eun-suk.
- What
- Prosecutors sought the death penalty in Yoon’s appeal trial on rebellion charges. Yoon is appealing a life sentence.
- When
- Thursday, October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Seoul High Court, South Korea.
- Why
- Prosecutors said Yoon’s actions posed a grave threat to democracy and that the life sentence was too lenient.
Special prosecutor’s team
Yoon’s legal team
Sentence
Special prosecutor’s team
Prosecutors say Yoon should receive the death penalty because his actions threatened democracy and the lower court’s life sentence was too lenient.
Yoon’s legal team
Yoon’s lawyers reject the prosecution’s argument as lacking evidence and legal logic and are appealing his conviction.
Purpose of martial law
Special prosecutor’s team
Prosecutors say Yoon orchestrated a rebellion and sought to paralyze parliament and arrest political opponents.
Yoon’s legal team
Yoon’s team says the decree was meant to raise public awareness of efforts by the opposition-led legislature to paralyze state affairs, not to cause harm or establish authoritarian rule.
Yoon declared martial law, which was overturned by a National Assembly vote about six hours later.
Yoon was suspended from office after being impeached by the legislature.
The Constitutional Court formally removed Yoon from office.
A lower court sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment for rebellion.
The special prosecutor sought the death penalty during Yoon’s appeal trial.
The Donga Ilbo reported that final arguments were scheduled to begin on November 3 and defendants’ final statements were due on November 5.
- Requested sentence
- Death penalty
- Defendant
- Former President Yoon Suk Yeol
- Appeal court
- Seoul High Court
- Lower-court sentence
- Life imprisonment
- Martial law declaration
- December 3, 2024
- Last execution in South Korea
- 1997
5 sources
South Korean prosecutor seeks death penalty for Yoon over martial law
South Korean prosecutor asks for death penalty for Yoon
(2nd LD) Special counsel again seeks death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law declaration
[속보]특검, 윤석열 ‘내란 우두머리’ 2심도 사형 구형
What people are saying
There is no reason to hesitate to hand down the death penalty
This was the highest level of treason that betrayed the people's trust
The commander in chief who had sworn to abide by the Constitution instead sent troops armed with guns pointing at the people
devoid of evidence and legal logic