Police have bolstered security around Seoul's Central District Court amid rallies by supporters and critics of former President Yoon Suk Yeol ahead of the first verdict in his insurrection trial on February 19, 2026. Special prosecutors recommended the death penalty for his short-lived 2024 martial law declaration, with the ruling set for 3 p.m.
SEOUL, Feb. 19 -- Security has been significantly tightened around Seoul's Central District Court on February 19, 2026, ahead of the first-instance verdict in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's trial for leading an insurrection through his December 3, 2024, martial law declaration. The measure lasted six hours and involved mobilizing troops to seal the National Assembly and ordering arrests of key political figures.
Special prosecutors, led by Cho Eun-suk, indicted Yoon in January 2025 alongside former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others, accusing them of conspiring to subvert the Constitution. In the final hearing last month, prosecutors sought the death penalty, arguing Yoon aimed to retain power by seizing the judiciary and legislature using military resources.
Yoon maintains his innocence, claiming the declaration was a constitutional effort to safeguard freedom, sovereignty, and order, not a military dictatorship.
The court, which previously deemed the martial law bid an insurrection in related trials, is expected to impose a heavy sentence. Proceedings will be broadcast live, with Yoon attending from detention. Verdicts will also cover seven co-defendants, including Kim, former National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho, and former Seoul police chief Kim Bong-sik. Yoon faces a separate five-year sentence for obstructing investigators.
Tensions are high outside the southern Seoul court, where about 80 Yoon supporters rallied overnight for acquittal. Far-right groups like Freedom Union plan a 2,300-person rally from 9 a.m. Progressive Candlelight Action expects 5,000 at nearby Seocho Station from 2 p.m. calling for conviction. Banners proclaim 'The insurrection has not ended even after a year.'
To avert violence, reminiscent of a prior supporter riot at another court, police deployed 1,000 officers, barriers of buses, and restricted access since last Friday to pre-registered vehicles and press via the east gate only.
The courtroom hosted former President Chun Doo-hwan's 1996 death sentence for a coup and Gwangju events; South Korea's last execution was in 1997.
