Special counsel again seeks death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law

A special counsel team has urged the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol during his appeal trial over insurrection charges related to his failed attempt to impose martial law. The request came during proceedings at the Seoul High Court, eight months after a lower court had sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment for organizing a riot through his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024.

The special counsel's team maintains that there is no hesitation in imposing the death penalty. They emphasize that the strongest argument against it is the possibility of a misjudgment, but in this case, such a risk does not exist. According to the team, Yoon declared martial law with the intention of eliminating anti-state forces, although the order was overturned by the National Assembly just six hours later.

During those six hours, troops were stationed at the National Assembly compound, which the lower court deemed an attempt to disrupt parliament and apprehend prominent politicians.

The current special counsel, Cho Eun-suk, stated that the commander in chief, who had sworn to uphold the Constitution, should face the harshest possible sentence.