In South Korea, a team of special prosecutors asked the court to sentence former President Yoon Seok-yol to death over his attempt to declare martial law in December 2024, Yonhap news agency reported.
According to the report, special prosecutors at a final hearing at the Seoul Central District Court demanded the death penalty for former President Yoon as the “leader of the rebellion.”
“Former President Yoon declared martial law in order to remain in power for a long time by seizing the judicial and legislative branches of government,” said Assistant Special Prosecutor Park Ek-soo.
A panel of judges will consider the prosecutors’ recommendation and a verdict is expected within the coming weeks.
Yoon was charged last January with leading an uprising by declaring martial law.
Yoon was first arrested in January last year on sedition charges, although a court later cancelled the arrest and the politician was released in March. Yun was arrested again in July on charges related to an attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, as well as obstructing investigators from executing an arrest warrant.
The trial against the former president is ongoing and he denies the charges. He could face life imprisonment or execution on the charges.
In June 2025, South Korea held an early presidential election, which was won by the opposition Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-men.