By Micah Jonah
January 14, 2026
South Korean prosecutors have formally asked a court to sentence former President Yoon Suk Yeol to death over his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024, accusing him of threatening the country’s constitutional order.
The request was made on Tuesday by a special prosecution team led by Cho Eun-suk at the Seoul Central District Court. Prosecutors argued that Yoon’s actions amounted to a “self-coup” that endangered South Korea’s liberal democratic system.
According to the prosecution, the December 2024 martial law declaration plunged the country into a constitutional crisis, prompting mass protests, an emergency response by lawmakers who rushed to parliament to overturn the decree. The Supreme Court later ruled the declaration unconstitutional.
Yoon was subsequently impeached, removed from office, jailed. His criminal trial, which included charges of insurrection, abuse of power, and related offences, concluded after more than 11 hours of proceedings on Tuesday.
“The greatest victims of the insurrection in this case are the people of this country,” prosecutors told the court, insisting there were no mitigating circumstances and that a severe punishment was justified.
Yoon has denied all charges, maintaining that he acted within his presidential authority. Addressing the court, he described the investigations against him as “frenzied” and accused authorities of manipulation, distortion of facts.
The court is expected to deliver its verdict on February 19, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
If convicted, Yoon would become the third South Korean president found guilty of insurrection, following two former military leaders linked to the 1979 coup. However, even if a death sentence is imposed, it is unlikely to be carried out, as South Korea has observed an unofficial moratorium on executions since 1997.
Yoon is also facing multiple other trials, including an obstruction of justice case that could result in up to 10 years in prison, as well as charges of aiding the enemy over allegations that he ordered drone flights over North Korea to justify the martial law declaration.
The office of President Lee Jae Myung, who assumed office after Yoon’s removal, said it expects the judiciary to rule in accordance with the law, legal principles, and public standards.
