FILE – Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at a Seoul court to attend a hearing on his arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors, July 9, 2025.
International Desk
Jan 14, 2026: Prosecutors in South Korea have requested that former President Yoon Suk Yeol be sentenced to death if found guilty of attempting to impose martial law, a move described as a failed coup.
Closing arguments were held at a Seoul court, where Yoon was accused of being the chief orchestrator of an insurrection. The charges relate to his attempt in December 2024 to enforce military rule, a measure that lasted only a few hours but triggered significant political upheaval. Following the incident, Yoon was impeached by parliament and detained to face trial.
Yoon has rejected the accusations, claiming that his martial law declaration was a symbolic act intended to draw attention to alleged misconduct by the opposition party.
Leading an insurrection is the gravest offense under South Korean law, punishable by either the death penalty or life imprisonment. Prosecutors were required to recommend one of these sentences. South Korea has not carried out an execution in almost three decades. In 1996, former military ruler Chun Doo-hwan received a death sentence for his 1979 coup, which was later reduced to life imprisonment.
In their closing statements, prosecutors argued that although no deaths occurred during Yoon’s brief martial law attempt, his intentions were dangerously violent. They said Yoon’s actions were driven by a desire for dictatorial control and long-term power, and that the true victims of his actions were the people of South Korea.
Evidence presented included testimony from a military commander who claimed Yoon had ordered the detention of lawmakers, as well as a memo from a former military officer involved in planning the martial law, which suggested targeting journalists, labor activists, and legislators.
The trial of Yoon has been combined with those of two other senior officials in his administration: former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, for whom prosecutors sought life imprisonment, and former police chief Cho Ji-ho, who faces a recommended 20-year sentence. Five other individuals are also on trial for their roles.
Yoon attended the court proceedings to hear final arguments, asserting that as president, he had the authority to impose martial law. He stated he acted to prevent “malfeasance that could destroy the nation.” Legal arguments, originally scheduled to conclude last Friday, extended into Tuesday due to delays by defense lawyers.
The court is expected to announce its verdict in February, though prosecutors’ sentencing requests are not always granted.
Yoon, 65, was removed from office in April, making him the first South Korean president to be taken into custody while still in office. He has faced multiple criminal trials and, last month, prosecutors sought a 10-year prison term for him on charges related to obstruction of justice connected to the martial law declaration.
On 3 December 2024, Yoon surprised the nation by announcing martial law, claiming it was necessary to protect South Korea from North Korean threats. Critics, however, viewed the move as an attempt to consolidate power amid domestic political challenges. The declaration sparked months of political turmoil, culminating in his arrest.
Following Yoon’s impeachment, Lee Jae Myung was elected president in a snap election in June. Despite Yoon’s political downfall, he retains support from right-wing factions who regard him as a courageous figure challenging the liberal Democratic Party led by Lee.
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