Yoon Suk Yeol Could Face Death Penalty in South Korea's Martial Law Insurrection Trial

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced the final session of his trial on Friday over charges of insurrection linked to his brief imposition of martial law on December 3, 2024. The special prosecutor is expected to submit sentencing requests, which could include the death penalty or life imprisonment if Yoon is found guilty. South Korea, however, has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions for nearly three decades.

Prosecutors allege that Yoon and then-Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun planned to suspend parliament and seize legislative powers as early as October 2023. The charges claim Yoon aimed to label opposition leaders, including former opposition chief Lee Jae Myung, as “anti-state forces” to justify detentions.

Further, prosecutors argue Yoon and Kim attempted to create a pretext for martial law by escalating tensions with North Korea through a covert drone operation. Although the martial law declaration lasted only six hours, it triggered widespread political unrest and sent shockwaves through South Korea’s economy and democratic institutions.

Also Read: Delhi Court Sentences Gangster Vikas Gulia, Associate to Life Imprisonment

Yoon, 65, has denied the allegations, asserting that his actions were within presidential powers and intended to alert the public to parliamentary obstruction. During the proceedings at Seoul Central District Court, he appeared thinner and in a dark suit, seated alongside seven co-defendants, including Kim and their legal teams.

The court session included defense arguments, followed by the prosecutors’ final submissions and sentencing recommendations. A ruling is expected in February, concluding over a year of political turmoil that followed Yoon’s revocation of martial law, his impeachment, and the subsequent election of liberal-leaning Lee Jae Myung.

In addition to insurrection, Yoon faces multiple other criminal charges, including abuse of power and obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant, raising the stakes for a high-profile trial that has captured both national and international attention.

Also Read: Simulation Finds Jeju Air Crash Could Have Been Survivable Without Concrete Barrier