Former President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks at a listening to on Dec. 29, 2025, in his trial on fees of main an rebel along with his abortive declaration of martial legislation one 12 months earlier. (courtesy of the Seoul Central District Courtroom)
Korean prosecutors requested the demise penalty for disgraced former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Tuesday marked 406 days since Yoon’s short-lived declaration of martial legislation on Dec. 3, 2024.
Within the ultimate arguments within the rebel trial of Yoon and 7 accomplices on Tuesday at Seoul Central District Courtroom, prosecutors below particular counsel Cho Eun-seok requested the courtroom to condemn Yoon to demise.
Whereas Korean legislation permits the chief of an rebel to be sentenced to demise or life in jail with or with out labor, prosecutors mentioned there have been no extenuating circumstances that will justify a extra reasonable sentence.
“Together with his declaration of martial legislation, Yoon abdicated his duty to defend the Structure and advance civil liberties. The defendant has not proven any regret. Given the dearth of extenuating circumstances, it’s certainly essential for a extreme sentence to be pronounced, and the lightest sentences obtainable aren’t applicable. If we’re to keep away from the lightest sentences, the one choice permitted by legislation is the demise penalty; due to this fact, that’s what we request for the defendant Yoon Suk-yeol,” mentioned Park Eok-su, a deputy particular counsel.
That is solely the second time below Korea’s present Structure {that a} former president on trial has confronted the potential for capital punishment.
On Aug. 5, 1996, prosecutors demanded that former President Chun Doo-hwan face capital punishment for his army coup on Dec. 12, 1979, and for his bloody suppression of the Gwangju Rebellion in Could 1980. In a accident, that listening to was additionally held in Room 417 of the Seoul Central District Courtroom, identical to the ultimate arguments in Yoon’s trial.
Simply as with Yoon, Chun had been charged with main an rebel.
The particular counsel’s crew additionally requested that former Protection Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who’s thought to be Yoon’s chief confederate within the rebel, be sentenced to life in jail.
“The defendant was not merely a co-conspirator [in the insurrection] — his place was similar to that of the chief. He meticulously deliberate the declaration of martial legislation in order to monopolize energy and extend [Yoon’s] grip on energy,” mentioned Jang Jun-ho, one of many prosecutors.
“The defendant destroyed proof. In courtroom, he employed sophistries and agitated supporters. He reviled the courtroom, disregarded unrest and undermined belief within the rule of legislation. His duty is grave and there aren’t any extenuating circumstances to think about, leaving no choice however to mete out extreme punishment,” Jang added.
The investigation and trial into the tried rebel have lasted effectively over a 12 months since martial legislation was declared and lifted. However the defendants within the trial will quickly obtain their verdicts.
A district courtroom will ship the decision on fees that Yoon obstructed arrest on Friday. The particular counsel’s crew requested that Yoon face a 10-year jail sentence in that trial.
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was indicted with out detention on the cost of abetting the chief of an rebel, awaits his personal verdict on Jan. 21.
As for former Inside Minister Lee Sang-min, who stays behind bars whereas he’s tried for enjoying a serious function within the rebel by ordering that energy and water be minimize off from media organizations, a choose will ship the decision on Feb. 12.
The particular counsel crew has requested a jail sentence of 15 years for each Han and Lee.
By Park Ji-young, employees reporter; Jung Hwan-bong, employees reporter
Please direct questions or feedback to [english@hani.co.kr]
