Yoon Suk Yeol during his impeachment proceedings as president at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, on February 11, 2025. LEE JIN-MAN / AP
A harsh indictment and an equally severe penalty: the death sentence. The prosecution did not spare former conservative South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol (2022-2025), who stood trial in Seoul over his failed martial law declaration of December 3, 2024.
“Former president Yoon declared martial law in order to remain in power by usurping judicial and legislative authority. The nature of the crime is serious, as he mobilized resources that should have only been used in the national interest,” the prosecution explained in the early hours of Wednesday, January 14, after a marathon final hearing. The verdict is due on February 19.
Upon hearing the sentence sought, Yoon, seated in the defendant’s dock, allowed himself a faint smile. His supporters present in courtroom 417 at Seoul Central District Court shouted, “You lunatic!” and “What nonsense!” prompting Judge Jee Kui-youn to call for order.
Also in the dock were several of Yoon’s accomplices, including former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho and military intelligence chief Noh Sang-won. They face between 15 years and life in prison.
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