South Korean prosecutors seek death penalty for ex‑President Yoon

On January 13, at the insurrection trial of former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, a special counsel team of the prosecutor's office requested the death penalty for him over his failed imposition of martial law.

The prosecutors described the former president as the ringleader of an insurrection who sought to stay in power by seizing control of the judiciary and legislature, Caliber.Az reports via the South Korean media.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team requested the sentence during the final hearing of Yoon's trial at the Seoul Central District Court.  

Yoon Suk‑yeol is a South Korean lawyer and conservative politician who served as the 20th president of South Korea from May 2022 until his removal in April 2025. In 2022, Yoon narrowly won the presidency as the candidate of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), campaigning on economic deregulation, a tougher stance on North Korea, and closer ties with Japan and the United States.

His presidency was marred by political gridlock with the opposition‑controlled National Assembly, declining approval ratings, and criticism over domestic issues. On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law, alleging “anti‑state forces” were undermining government functions — a move quickly overturned by parliament amid mass protests and accusations that it was unconstitutional. After the constitutional court upheld his impeachment, Yoon was removed from office in April 2025 and became the first South Korean president to face an arrest warrant and trial on insurrection charges.

By Khagan Isayev