South Korean prosecutors press for death sentence in Yoon martial law case

Former president faces renewed death penalty demand as he appeals life sentence for insurrection.Published On 29 Oct 202629 Oct 2026South Korean prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed attempt to impose military rule.The team led by special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk renewed the demand at an appeal hearing in Seoul on Thursday, arguing that Yoon’s actions threatened South Korea‘s democracy.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2North Korea fires missiles as row over landmine blast intensifieslist 2 of 2North Koreans being recruited into forced labour in Russia, report saysend of listHe was sentenced to life imprisonment in February after being convicted of leading an insurrection.Prosecutors had previously sought the death penalty at Yoon’s original trial in January, but the court sentenced him to life imprisonment the following month.At Thursday’s hearing at the Seoul High Court, a prosecutor said there was “no reason to hesitate” over imposing the death penalty, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.South Korea retains the death penalty but has not carried out an execution since 1997.Prosecutors argued that this long...