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South Korean prosecutors have asked the court to impose the death penalty on former president Yoon Suk Yeol if he is convicted over his failed attempt to impose martial law.
The request was made during closing arguments at a Seoul court, where Yoon is standing trial on charges of leading an insurrection. Prosecutors described him as the “ringleader” of the plot.
The case centres on Yoon’s declaration of martial law in December 2024, a move that lasted only a few hours but triggered widespread political upheaval. Parliament later impeached him, and authorities detained him to face trial.
Yoon has rejected the allegations, insisting that the declaration was merely symbolic and intended to draw public attention to alleged misconduct by the opposition.
Under South Korean law, insurrection is the gravest offence and carries either the death penalty or life imprisonment. Prosecutors are required to seek one of the two sentences if a defendant is found guilty.
Although South Korea has not carried out an execution in nearly three decades, the death penalty remains on the statute books. In 1996, former military ruler Chun Doo-hwan received a death sentence for his 1979 coup, though it was later reduced to life imprisonment.
Prosecutors argued that Yoon’s actions amounted to violent intent, even though no deaths occurred. They cited testimony from a senior military commander who said Yoon ordered the arrest of lawmakers.
They also submitted a memo written by a former military officer involved in planning the martial law, which reportedly suggested “disposing” of hundreds of individuals, including journalists, labour activists and politicians.
Yoon’s trial has been combined with those of former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun and former police chief Cho Ji-ho, who also face charges linked to the plot.
The court is expected to deliver its verdict and, if applicable, sentences at a later date, widely anticipated in February. Yoon has been in detention for several months and is facing multiple criminal cases. Last month, prosecutors also sought a 10-year prison sentence for him over obstruction of justice and related offences.
Yoon stunned South Korea on December 3, 2024, when he announced martial law, claiming it was necessary to protect the country from North Korean communist threats. Critics, however, viewed it as an attempt to cling to power amid mounting domestic challenges.
The episode plunged the country into prolonged political turmoil and led to Yoon becoming the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested and charged. A snap election in June brought Lee Jae Myung to power as president.
Despite his fall from office, Yoon continues to command loyalty among some right-wing supporters, who portray him as a martyr standing up to the liberal Democratic Party, now led by President Lee.
