South Korea: Calls for Death Penalty Against Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol Over Martial Law Remarks

The legal proceedings against former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have reached a⁢ critical juncture, with prosecutors⁤ demanding the ‌ultimate ​penalty: the death sentence. This case,⁢ unfolding in Seoul, centers around the contentious‌ declaration of martial ⁣law attempted on December ⁣3,​ 2024, ‍and raises⁣ meaningful questions about ‌the limits of presidential ⁣power and the rule of law. Understanding the intricacies of this situation is vital, and we’ll unpack the events that lead to this ⁢severe request, as of January 14, 2026.

As the prosecution presented its final ⁢arguments⁤ in the late hours​ of January 13th and early January 14th, it asserted that‍ Yoon Suk Yeol instigated the martial law⁣ declaration as a means to cling⁣ to power, effectively‌ usurping the⁣ authority of the judicial and legislative⁣ branches.⁤ The seriousness of the⁢ accusations hinges on the alleged mobilization of national resources​ for personal ‍political gain.

Remarkably, upon hearing the requested sentence, the former president exhibited a subtle⁣ reaction, a slight smile crossing his ⁤face. Though, this composure contrasted sharply with the vehement outcry from his supporters, gathered in courtroom 417 of the seoul Central District Court, who​ voiced their disbelief with ‌shouts of⁣ protest, prompting a call‍ for order from Judge Jee Kui-youn.

The Charges and Potential Penalties‍ Facing Yoon Suk Yeol

Beyond the‍ former⁢ president, several key individuals implicated in the attempted martial law‍ declaration now face substantial legal consequences. kim Yong-hyun, the former Minister of Defense, along with Cho Ji-ho, the former head of the National Police Agency, and⁣ Noh Sang-won, the former