A special counsel team demanded the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol during the final hearing of his insurrection trial at the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday. The request stems from his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The court plans to deliver its ruling on Feb. 19.
The final hearing of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection trial took place at the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday. The special counsel team demanded the death penalty, arguing that Yoon declared martial law to seize control of the judiciary and legislature for long-term retention of power. Assistant special counsel Park Eok-su stated, "Former President Yoon declared martial law with the purpose of remaining in power for a long time by seizing the judiciary and legislature. The nature of the crime is serious as he mobilized physical resources that should have been used only in the interest of the national collective."
In his 90-minute final statement, Yoon maintained his innocence, asserting that "It was not a military dictatorship that suppresses citizens, but an effort to safeguard freedom and sovereignty, and revive the constitutional order." He criticized the investigations and indictment as a "frenzied sword dance characterized by purges and repression." During the proceedings, Yoon showed a faint smile from the dock, while some supporters in the gallery cursed loudly.
The trial, over a year after Yoon's martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024, to eradicate anti-state forces, involves charges of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to subvert the Constitution. He allegedly mobilized troops and police to seal off the National Assembly, preventing lawmakers from voting down the decree, and ordered arrests of the Assembly speaker and party leaders. Yoon became the first sitting president indicted with detention in January 2025, was released in March, and recustodied in July on additional charges.
Cheong Wa Dae expects the judiciary to deliver a verdict in accordance with the law and principles, meeting public expectations. The ruling Democratic Party called the demand a "commonsense conclusion," urging no leniency. DP spokesperson Park Soo-hyun said, "It is a declaration that the law will hold those responsible to the most severe accountability for acts that sought to destroy the constitutional order and overturn the people's sovereignty by force."
The special counsel sought life imprisonment for Kim Yong-hyun, 20 years for former National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho, 15 years for former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief Kim Bong-sik, and 30 years for retired Army Maj. Gen. Noh Sang-won. South Korea has not executed anyone since December 1997, making it a de facto abolitionist in practice.
