Appellate ruling for Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection to be made on Jan. 26

The Seoul High Court said Thursday that the ruling for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection charge will be made at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 26, at the final hearing for the appellate trial.

Wrapping up the high-profile trial, final statements were made by both the prosecution and the defendants. The defense included Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, retired military intelligence commander Noh Sang-won, former National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho, and former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief Kim Bong-sik.

Yoon has been charged with leading an insurrection by declaring emergency martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The other defendants are accused of taking part in what has been determined by the Constitutional Court as an unconstitutional and illegal martial law imposition.

In the final statement, Yoon reiterated his previous position that he is innocent, and that declaring martial law was not an act of coup intended to procure long-term power over the country.

He has claimed that the ruling Democratic Party of Korea — then the main opposition — proposing impeachment of officials has severely hindered the state functions.

"I thought I should notify and awaken the public that the country is in crisis due to the state affairs being paralyzed and the constitutional order collapsing," Yoon said, claiming that his actions were within his constitutional right.

Former Minister Kim also claimed that Yoon's martial law imposition was justified, while Noh said he has no regrets about his part.

Cho, on the other hand, said he deeply regrets not actively opposing the orders. Kim Bong-sik also said he feels responsible for not protecting the public's safety and democratic order.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team requested that the appellate court hand the former South Korean leader the death penalty, saying a maximum punishment is necessary for his "betrayal of the people." Yoon was sentenced to a lifetime in prison in the first-instance ruling on Feb. 19, but the prosecution team said it was not enough.

The prosecution requested a life sentence for ex-Defense Minister Kim, 30 years in prison for Noh, 20 years for Cho, and 15 years for the former Seoul police chief Cho.