Special prosecutor seeks death penalty for former President Yoon for masterminding civil war over emergency martial law - South Korean High Court

[Seoul Current Affairs] An appeal hearing was held at the Seoul High Court on the 29th in the case of former South Korean President Yun Seok-Yeol, who was charged with masterminding a civil war by declaring "emergency martial law" in December 2024, and the special prosecutor requested the death penalty.

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The defense's closing argument and defendant Yoon's final statement of opinion are scheduled to be held on November 5th. The sentencing date has not been set, but South Korean media reports that it is expected to be handed down as early as this year.

The special prosecutor had sought the death penalty in the first instance, but the Seoul Central District Court sentenced the case to life in prison in February, saying, ``It does not appear to have been carefully planned.'' Both the special prosecutor and the defendant were dissatisfied with the verdict and filed an appeal.

The legal penalty for masterminding a civil war is the death penalty or life imprisonment. In its argument, the special prosecutor accused Yoon of being a traitor who denied the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea and attempted to overthrow it. ``There is no reason to hesitate in passing a death sentence,'' he said.