An independent prosecutor urged the imposition of the death penalty for former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of rebellion linked to his brief declaration of martial law in December 2024. Yoon, who was ousted from office in April and is currently incarcerated, is facing multiple trials for various criminal offenses stemming from his martial law declaration and other controversies during his tenure. The most severe accusation against him is directing a rebellion.
The legal team led by independent prosecutor Cho Eun-suk urged the Seoul Central District Court to hand down a death sentence to Yoon, characterizing his decree as “anti-state activities” and a “self-coup.” They alleged that Yoon sought to extend his rule by undermining the constitutional framework of governance. Yoon, in response, criticized the investigations into his rebellion charges, denouncing them as “frantic” and involving “manipulation” and “distortion.”
Yoon, known for his conservative stance, reiterated that his decree was a desperate effort to raise awareness among the public about what he perceived as the threat posed by the liberal opposition Democratic Party. He argued that the use of emergency presidential powers should not be equated with rebellion. The court is anticipated to render a verdict in February, with experts predicting a probable life sentence for Yoon. Notably, South Korea has not carried out any executions since 1997, and death penalties have been rare in recent years.
Yoon is poised to become the first former South Korean president facing a potential death penalty post-office since the 1996 sentencing of ex-military leader Chun Doo-hwan to death for orchestrating a military coup in 1979. Chun’s death sentence was ultimately commuted to life imprisonment before he was eventually pardoned and released.
Yoon’s unprecedented martial law declaration triggered the deployment of armed forces on the streets of Seoul to encircle the National Assembly and election offices. Although no significant injuries were reported, the incident revived memories of past dictatorships where martial law was used to suppress pro-democracy movements. On the night of Yoon’s decree, thousands gathered at the National Assembly demanding his resignation, leading to lawmakers, including those from Yoon’s party, voting against the declaration.
Observers viewed Yoon’s actions as political suicide, marking the downfall of the former prominent prosecutor who ascended to the presidency in 2022, only a year after entering politics. Following his impeachment by the National Assembly and subsequent dismissal by the Constitutional Court, South Korea experienced political turbulence, disrupted diplomacy, and financial market volatility.
Lee Jae Myung, a former Democratic Party leader instrumental in Yoon’s impeachment, assumed the presidency after a snap election in June. Lee appointed three independent prosecutors to investigate allegations involving Yoon, his spouse, and associates. The presidential office expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to deliver a verdict on Yoon in accordance with the law, principles, and public expectations.
Speculation had circulated that Yoon enacted martial law to shield his wife, Kim Keon Hee, from potential corruption probes. However, following a six-month investigation’s conclusion, independent prosecutor Cho’s team determined that Yoon had plotted for over a year to impose martial law to eliminate political rivals and consolidate power.
