Prosecutors seek death sentence for Yoon in martial law appeal

Politics · First reported 29 Oct, 08:43 · Updated 18:13

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

South Korean prosecutors renewed their request for the death penalty for former president Yoon Suk-yeol at an appeal hearing in Seoul. Yoon is serving a life sentence after being convicted of leading an insurrection over his December 2024 martial law declaration; the appeals court plans further hearings.

Special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk’s team renewed its request for a death sentence at a Seoul High Court appeal hearing on Thursday.
Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment in February after a lower court convicted him of leading an insurrection; his appeal is pending.
Yoon declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Lawmakers voted against the measure, which was withdrawn about six hours after it was announced.
Prosecutors say the penalty is warranted; Yoon’s lawyers argue he intended to warn lawmakers and did not seek authoritarian rule.
The appeals court plans two more hearings, including Yoon’s final statement on November 5.