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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Special Prosecutor Joeun Seok’s office has requested the death penalty for former President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is standing trial on charges of leading an insurrection.
During the second and final sentencing hearing held on the 13th at the Seoul Central District Court, Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge: Ji Gui-yeon), the prosecution urged the court to impose the death sentence, the maximum punishment under Korean law.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Eok-su stated, “The declaration of martial law violated the duty to uphold the Constitution and protect citizens’ freedoms, fundamentally endangering national security and the survival of the people. Considering the purpose, means, and manner of execution, these actions constitute anti-state activities.” He added that it is now clear which groups the former president identified as anti-state actors to justify the emergency measures.
Park further criticized Yoon’s actions as “an unprecedented constitutional crisis caused by anti-state actors, including intrusion into the National Assembly, attempts to disrupt the National Election Commission, and efforts to cut power and water to media outlets.”
He also stated, “Former President Yoon did not reflect on the serious violation of constitutional order and democracy caused by his actions. The greatest victims are the citizens who sacrificed to uphold democracy against authoritarianism.”
The prosecution emphasized that Yoon had declared martial law with the aim of consolidating long-term control over the judiciary and legislature, and that he mobilized state resources intended solely for the public good, aggravating the severity of his crimes.
This sentencing recommendation comes 406 days after the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, and 352 days after the former president was indicted on January 26, 2025, on charges of leading an insurrection.
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
