Death Penalty Requested For Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea’s special prosecutors have formally requested the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of being the ringleader of an insurrection tied to the illegal declaration of martial law on December 3.

The request was made during the sentencing hearing of Yoon’s first trial on insurrection charges, held on the morning of January 13 at the Seoul Central District Court.

The sentencing request was the highest penalty permitted by law for an insurrection leader.

The sentencing hearing took place in Courtroom 417, a location with heavy historical significance. Thirty years ago, former Presidents Chun Doo Hwan and Roh Tae Woo were sentenced to death and life imprisonment, respectively. Former Presidents Park Geun Hye and Lee Myung Bak were also tried in the same courtroom.

According to the special prosecution team, Yoon declared emergency martial law despite there being no signs of war, armed conflict, or any equivalent national emergency. He is also accused of ordering or attempting the arrest and detention of key political figures and officials.