The court in Seoul will issue a verdict on February 19 regarding the case of former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's attempt to impose martial law in the country. The special prosecutor's group has demanded the death penalty for him, writes DW.
A special prosecutor's group in South Korea has demanded the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk-yeol for his earlier unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law in the country, local news agency Yonhap reported on Tuesday, January 13.
"Former President Yoon imposed martial law with the aim of staying in power for a long time by seizing judicial and legislative authority," said the assistant to the special prosecutor during the final hearing of the case at the Central District Court of Seoul.
"The nature of the crime is serious, as he mobilized material resources that should have been used exclusively in the interests of the national community," the indictment emphasizes.
As noted by Yonhap, at the time the sentencing request was read, the South Korean ex-president "smiled weakly from the courtroom, while some of his supporters in the hall shouted loudly." The hearing lasted about 11 hours. The court plans to issue a verdict for the ex-president on February 19.
In late December, the ex-president of South Korea was demanded to be sentenced to 10 years
The special prosecutor in South Korea demanded on December 26 in the same Seoul court that former President Yoon Suk-yeol be sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of obstructing justice, Yonhap reported that day.
Five years in prison were requested for Yoon for attempting to prevent investigators from arresting him in January 2025 by barricading himself in the presidential residence. Three years were requested for violating the rights of nine cabinet members who were not summoned to a meeting regarding his plan to impose martial law, as well as for spreading false information in the foreign press about the imposition of martial law and destroying records of conversations from secure phones used by the military leadership of the country. An additional two years were requested for drafting and then destroying a false decree on the imposition of martial law.
As noted at that time, the ex-president is involved in three other criminal cases related to the attempt to impose martial law. In one of them, he was accused of leading a rebellion. Additionally, in November, the special prosecutor's group accused Yoon of aiding North Korea and abusing power in connection with the alleged sending of drones to North Korea in October 2024. According to law enforcement, Yoon intended to provoke hostilities and use them as a pretext for imposing martial law in the country. The investigation estimated that this "benefited the enemy," as South Korean drones crashed near the capital of North Korea.
Arrest of the ex-president and his removal from power
In early December 2024, a political crisis erupted in South Korea after Yoon Suk-yeol unexpectedly declared martial law in the country amid budget disputes, justifying this move as "anti-state activities" of the opposition. The country's parliament refused to approve this decision, and the next morning the head of state had to revoke it. On December 14, lawmakers declared impeachment against Yoon. In early April 2025, it was approved by the country's Constitutional Court.
On January 15, 2025, Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested. This occurred on the second attempt - the first was repelled by presidential security. The court ordered the arrest of the former head of state, but on March 8, it granted the defense's request and released him from custody. However, in July, Yoon was arrested again.
