South Korean prosecutors seek death penalty for ex-president Yoon

South Korean prosecutors seek death penalty for ex-president Yoon

In a landmark legal case, special prosecutors in South Korea have formally demanded the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The request was made during final arguments at the Seoul Central District Court, where Yoon is charged with insurrection for his attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.

Prosecutors label Yoon an insurrection "ringleader"

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk directly accused the detained former leader of orchestrating a plot to retain power unlawfully. Cho described Yoon as the "ringleader of an insurrection who sought to stay in power by seizing control of the judiciary and legislature." The charge of leading an insurrection carries a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment. A court verdict is anticipated in the coming month.

A swift ousting and a cascade of legal troubles

Yoon's declaration of martial law was quickly overturned by parliament, leading to his removal from office by South Korea's Constitutional Court in April 2025. His arrest in January of that year marked the first time a sitting South Korean president was taken into custody. Since his initial release and subsequent re-arrest in July, Yoon has remained in detention while facing multiple interconnected trials. Last month, prosecutors separately sought a 10-year prison sentence for him on obstruction of justice charges related to the same incident.

Separate trial on "benefiting the enemy" charges

Compounding his legal peril, a separate trial for Yoon commenced on Monday at a Seoul court. In that case, he faces charges of "benefiting the enemy" over allegations that he authorized the dispatch of military drones to North Korea in 2024. This complex web of allegations underscores a profound political crisis in a key Asian democracy, a situation monitored by nations like Türkiye, which values regional stability and the rule of law.