Prosecutors say Yoon, who was impeached over a failed 2024 martial legislation declaration, threatened ‘constitutional order’.
Revealed On 13 Jan 2026
South Korean prosecutors have requested for ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol to face the loss of life penalty over his failed try to impose martial legislation in 2024.
Particular prosecutor Cho Eun-suk’s staff made the request to the Seoul Central District Courtroom throughout courtroom on Tuesday, accusing Yoon of threatening the “liberal democratic constitutional order” along with his “self-coup”.
“The best victims of the riot on this case are the folks of this nation,” mentioned the prosecutors. “There aren’t any mitigating circumstances to be thought-about in sentencing, and as an alternative, a extreme punishment have to be imposed.”
Yoon plunged South Korea right into a disaster along with his martial legislation declaration in December 2024, prompting protesters and lawmakers to swarm parliament to power a vote towards the measure.
The decree was rapidly declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Courtroom, and Yoon was subsequently impeached, faraway from workplace and jailed.
Yoon’s legal trial for riot, abuse of energy, and different offences linked to the martial declaration ended on Tuesday after 11 hours of proceedings.
The courtroom is predicted to ship a verdict on the case on February 19, in accordance with the Yonhap information company.
Yoon says investigations ‘frenzied’
The previous president has denied the costs towards him, arguing that he was appearing inside his authority to declare martial legislation in response to what he described as opposition events’ obstruction of presidency.
Talking in courtroom Tuesday, Yoon criticised investigations into the rise up prices as “frenzied” and mired in “manipulation” and “distortion.”
If discovered responsible, Yoon will turn into the third South Korean president convicted of riot, following two ex-military leaders convicted over their roles within the 1979 coup.
However even when Yoon is handed a loss of life sentence, it’s unlikely to be carried out, as South Korea has noticed an unofficial moratorium on executions since 1997.
Yoon additionally faces a number of different trials over varied legal prices associated to the martial legislation try and different scandals throughout his time in workplace.
A Seoul courtroom is predicted to ship a verdict on Friday on an obstruction of justice case, which might see Yoon dealing with 10 years in jail.
And he faces a trial on prices of aiding the enemy over allegations he ordered drone flights over North Korea to justify his martial legislation declaration.
The workplace of President Lee Jae Myung, who was elected after Yoon was faraway from workplace, mentioned in an announcement that it “believes the judiciary will rule … in accordance with the legislation, ideas, and public requirements.”
