A South Korean court heard death penalty arguments for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday, as prosecutors accused the deposed leader of orchestrating an uprising through his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024.
Independent counsel Cho Eun-suk asked the Seoul Central District Court to impose the sentence, arguing that Yoon’s actions amounted to “anti-state activities” and describing the decree as a “self-coup”.
Yoon, a conservative who was removed from office last spring, remains in custody as he faces multiple criminal charges related to martial law and other controversies over his presidency. Prosecutors say the rebellion charge carries the harshest possible punishment.
SOUTH Korean prosecutors charge the deposed president with declaring martial law
Then South Korea’s deposed former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who is accused of orchestrating an uprising when he declared martial law on December 3, arrives to attend his trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Cho’s team argued in court that Yoon was trying to extend his grip on power by undermining South Korea’s constitutional system of governance.
Yoon has denied the charges, telling the court that the investigation into his conduct has been “frenzied” and characterized by “manipulation” and “distortion.”
He has maintained that the declaration of martial law was intended to warn the public about what he saw as the growing threat posed by the opposition Democratic Party, which used its legislative majority to block his political agenda.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing eight trials on various criminal charges related to his controversial martial law decree and other scandals. (AP)
Yoon argued that the exercise of presidential emergency powers cannot be considered rebellion under the law.
The court is expected to rule next month. Legal experts have said a life sentence is more likely than execution, noting that South Korea has not carried out a death penalty since 1997.
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES FOUR MONTHS AFTER DECLARING Martial Law
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol criticized the investigations into his allegations of rebellion, saying they were “frenzied” and involved “manipulation” and “distortion.” (AP)
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Yoon is the first South Korean president to face the death penalty after leaving office since Chun Doo-hwan was sentenced to death for various crimes in 1996. Chun’s death sentence was later commuted to life in prison, and he was subsequently pardoned and released.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
