A special prosecution team has recommended the death penalty for former president Yoon Suk-yeol, citing his role in "leading a rebellion", South Korean news agency Yonhap reported from the final trial session for rebellion charges at the Seoul Central District Court today.
Under South Korean law, the charge of leading a rebellion can carry a sentence of death, life imprisonment with or without hard labor.
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Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol at a trial session in Seoul on 13/1. *Yonhap* |
During the final arguments in court, a prosecutor stated that investigators confirmed the existence of a conspiracy, allegedly directed by Yoon and former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, which began in 10/2023, with the aim of maintaining Yoon's power.
Yoon, 65 years old, has denied the allegations. He argued that declaring martial law was within presidential authority and that the move aimed to warn against opposition parties obstructing government operations.
When declaring martial law on 3/12/2024, Yoon cited a "threat from North Korea", called the National Assembly a "criminal lair" and an "anti-state force". He deployed armed soldiers to the National Assembly headquarters to prevent lawmakers from voting to reject martial law, but this effort failed.
Yoon was arrested in an early morning raid in 1/2025, becoming the first sitting president of South Korea to be arrested. He was impeached in 4/2025 and faced trial for rebellion and other charges related to the martial law declaration.
The court is expected to announce its verdict in mid-February. South Korea has not carried out death penalty sentences for decades.
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A trial session for Yoon Suk-yeol (back row, fourth from right) on 13/1. *Yonhap* |
Huyen Le (According to Reuters, AFP, Yonhap, KBS)
