South Korean Prosecutors Push for Death Penalty for Yoon Suk Yeol Over Failed Martial Law Declaration
The trial marks the first time a head of state has been charged with insurrection since 1996. Prosecutors described the events as "serious destruction of constitutional order by anti-state forces," accusing Yoon of directly infringing on the safety of the state and the survival and freedom of its people.
Yoon, who declared martial law in December 2024, is accused of planning the operation to "monopolize power through long-term rule" before October 2023. The plans allegedly included preparing to torture election officials into confessing to fabricated election fraud and cutting off power and water to critical media outlets.
Prosecutors condemned Yoon's lack of remorse, saying he has never properly apologized and instead blames others while inciting supporters. This behavior is seen as a key aggravating factor in their case against him.
The trial comes after an unprecedented wave of investigations into Yoon and his allies, with over 120 people indicted across the political and military establishment on various charges including abuse of power and election law violations.
Yoon faces multiple trials spanning eight separate charges, including ordering drone infiltrations into Pyongyang airspace to provoke North Korea. His wife, Kim Keon Hee, is also facing a reckoning in a separate trial, with prosecutors demanding 15 years imprisonment for her alleged stock manipulation and bribery charges.
The case marks the first time South Korean prosecutors have pushed for the death penalty in an insurrection-related case since the country's last execution in 1997. The country has not executed anyone since then and is classified as a "de facto abolitionist" state by human rights groups.
A verdict on Yoon's death penalty charge is due on February 19, with the court expected to deliver its decision in accordance with South Korean law and public expectations.
The trial marks the first time a head of state has been charged with insurrection since 1996. Prosecutors described the events as "serious destruction of constitutional order by anti-state forces," accusing Yoon of directly infringing on the safety of the state and the survival and freedom of its people.
Yoon, who declared martial law in December 2024, is accused of planning the operation to "monopolize power through long-term rule" before October 2023. The plans allegedly included preparing to torture election officials into confessing to fabricated election fraud and cutting off power and water to critical media outlets.
Prosecutors condemned Yoon's lack of remorse, saying he has never properly apologized and instead blames others while inciting supporters. This behavior is seen as a key aggravating factor in their case against him.
The trial comes after an unprecedented wave of investigations into Yoon and his allies, with over 120 people indicted across the political and military establishment on various charges including abuse of power and election law violations.
Yoon faces multiple trials spanning eight separate charges, including ordering drone infiltrations into Pyongyang airspace to provoke North Korea. His wife, Kim Keon Hee, is also facing a reckoning in a separate trial, with prosecutors demanding 15 years imprisonment for her alleged stock manipulation and bribery charges.
The case marks the first time South Korean prosecutors have pushed for the death penalty in an insurrection-related case since the country's last execution in 1997. The country has not executed anyone since then and is classified as a "de facto abolitionist" state by human rights groups.
A verdict on Yoon's death penalty charge is due on February 19, with the court expected to deliver its decision in accordance with South Korean law and public expectations.
. The fact that they're pushing for the death penalty is just wild. I mean, I get why it's a big deal - Yoon did declare martial law, which is some serious stuff. But at the same time, it feels like things are getting pretty extreme. He's married to someone who's facing charges too... it all just seems really complicated 
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. And now they're pushing for the death penalty? Like, I get that Yoon broke the law, but is that really necessary? 
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. I guess that's just how politics works sometimes 
. But still... it's all so weird and sad 
. I just hope the verdict comes out fair and all that 
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. It's just so messed up when people try to take over the government like that 
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... I mean, Yoon declared martial law, which is a pretty big deal 
. I think they should focus on the bigger picture - like how this all went down in the first place. What were the circumstances leading up to martial law? How did Yoon's team even manage to get so far without anyone stopping them? 
especially considering he's basically been the face of south korea for years. it feels like the government's all in on this one, trying to set an example with the death penalty. i get why they want accountability, but you have to wonder if they're just trying to use yoon as a scapegoat to distract from their own issues 
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it's like he thought he could just impose his will on the country 
prosecutors are right, though - he never showed remorse or took responsibility for his actions 
that's a lot of drama 
after this kind of thing happens
. I think this is all about politics and power struggles. The real question is, who benefits from Yoon's downfall? His opponents? The media? Or someone else entirely?
. I get that he declared martial law and all that, but come on, it's not like he was trying to take down the entire country. Prosecutors are saying he's got no remorse and blames others - isn't that a bit extreme? 
And what about his wife, she's facing 15 years in prison for alleged stock manipulation and bribery charges? That seems pretty harsh too 
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. I hope the court delivers a fair verdict on February 19, but at this point, I'm just not feeling optimistic about it