South Korean Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Ex-President Yoon Over Failed Insurrection

Seoul, South Korea – South Korean prosecutors requested the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday, accusing him of leading a failed insurrection in December 2024 by attempting to impose military rule. The request was made to the Seoul Central District Court by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-suk's team, according to Al Jazeera.

Yoon is accused of threatening the country's "liberal democratic constitutional order" with what prosecutors described as a "self-coup." The prosecution argued that there were "no mitigating circumstances to be considered in sentencing, and instead, a severe punishment must" be imposed, Al Jazeera reported.

The case highlights the severity of challenging democratic processes in South Korea, according to the BBC. Prosecutors stated that "the greatest victims of the insurrection in this case are the people of this country," Al Jazeera reported.

While the prosecution is seeking the death penalty, the BBC noted that South Korea has not carried out an execution in decades, raising questions about the practical implications of the request. The trial continues, and the court will now consider the prosecution's request.