In brief
Former President Yoon Suk‑Yeol faces a renewed death‑penalty request in an appeal trial over his 2024 martial‑law declaration. Prosecutors argue the lower court’s life sentence is too lenient, while the Seoul High Court plans two more hearings before finalizing a verdict.
Special counsel members of the Seoul High Court asked for the death penalty against former President Yoon Suk‑Yeol in an appeal trial on Oct. 29, 2026, after he was convicted of insurrection for his 2024 martial‑law declaration.
A first‑instance court had sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment in February for staging a riot by declaring martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. He is now appealing.
Yoon’s martial‑law order lasted only a few hours before the National Assembly voted to revoke it. During that brief period troops were moved to the Assembly compound, a move later ruled by the lower court as an attempt to paralyze Parliament.
There is no reason to hesitate to hand down the death penalty. The strongest argument for objection to the death penalty is the possibility of a misjudgment just in case, but in this case, there is no room for that.
Yoon maintains his declaration was a warning to opposition‑controlled parliament amid its successive impeachments and budget‑cut efforts.
Prosecutors say the life sentence was too lenient and that the country’s practice of not executing the death penalty should not prevent the request.
Court Proceedings
The Seoul High Court will hold two more hearings before setting a sentencing date, and Yoon’s final statement is scheduled for next Thursday.
Amnesty International labels South Korea a de‑facto death‑penalty abolitionist; the country has not carried out executions since 1997. Under criminal law, a ringleader of insurrection can be sentenced to death, life imprisonment, or life imprisonment without labor.
Yoon also faces seven other cases, including allegations of corruption involving his wife and the 2023 death of a marine officer.
