Former South Korean President Yoon Faces Possible Death Penalty Over 2024 Martial Law Attempt

South Korea’s special prosecutor is expected to submit a sentencing request for former President Yoon Suk Yeol over charges of insurrection stemming from his brief imposition of martial law in 2024. The lower court held its final trial session on Friday.

Yoon, accused of orchestrating an insurrection, could face the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted. While South Korea’s death penalty remains legal, an unofficial moratorium has been observed for nearly 30 years, with no executions carried out since 1997.

During hearings at the Seoul Central District Court, prosecutors alleged that Yoon and then-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun began planning in October 2023 to suspend parliament and seize legislative powers. Prosecutors claimed Yoon intended to label political opponents, including former opposition leader Lee Jae Myung, as “anti-state forces” and detain them. They also said Yoon and Kim attempted to justify martial law by escalating tensions with North Korea through a covert drone operation.

The attempt to impose martial law lasted only about six hours but caused widespread political shock in Asia’s fourth-largest economy, a key U.S. security partner and long considered one of the region’s most resilient democracies.

Yoon, 65, has denied all charges, asserting that declaring martial law fell within his presidential powers and was intended to alert the public about opposition obstruction.

During Friday’s session, Yoon appeared noticeably thinner and was seated with seven other defendants, including Kim and legal counsel. The court began with defense arguments, followed by prosecutors’ final arguments and sentencing requests for each defendant.

A ruling is expected in February, concluding more than a year of political turmoil after Yoon’s December 3, 2024, martial law declaration was revoked when lawmakers bypassed security to vote. Yoon was later impeached by the Constitutional Court, and a snap presidential election in June 2025 brought liberal-leaning Lee Jae Myung to power.

Yoon also faces additional charges, including obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant and abuse of power.