Yoon Sukyeol's Insurrection Ringleader Sentencing Hearing Begins... Focus on Death Penalty or Life Imprisonment

Yoon Sukyeol Appears in Court in a Navy Suit
Sentencing Recommendation and Yoon's Final Statement Follow Documentary Evidence Review
Special Prosecutor Weighs Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment

The sentencing hearing, which concludes the arguments in the insurrection ringleader case against former President Yoon Sukyeol-a case considered the main body of the December 3 Martial Law Incident-began on January 9. On this day, attention is focused on whether Cho Eunseok, head of the special prosecutor's team for insurrection, will seek the maximum penalty of the death sentence.

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is attending the first trial on charges of "obstruction of special official duties and abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights" at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on September 26, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun) began the sentencing hearing at around 9:20 a.m. on the same day for former President Yoon on charges of leading an insurrection, as well as for seven military and police leaders, including former Minister Kim, on charges of engaging in key insurrection duties. During this hearing, after the review of documentary evidence by both the special prosecutor's team and the defense, the special prosecutor will present sentencing recommendations, followed by the defense's closing arguments and the defendant's final statement, after which the arguments will be concluded.

On this day, former President Yoon appeared in court in person at around 9:22 a.m. Wearing a navy suit and sporting short hair, he sat in the defendant's seat with a faint smile, holding a document envelope in one hand. Throughout the proceedings, former President Yoon kept his eyes closed.

Former President Yoon was brought to trial in custody in January last year on charges of instigating a riot on December 3, 2024, including the declaration of martial law, with the intent to undermine the constitutional order. He is also accused of attempting to arrest and detain key figures such as President Lee Jaemyung (then leader of the Democratic Party of Korea) and former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, as well as blocking the National Assembly to prevent the passage of a resolution to lift martial law.

The statutory penalties for the charge of leading an insurrection are limited to three options: death, life imprisonment, or life penal servitude. Previously, prosecutors sought the death penalty for former President Chun Doohwan, who was indicted on similar charges. The court of first instance sentenced Chun to death, but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment on appeal and was ultimately finalized by the Supreme Court.

The special prosecutor's team held a six-hour meeting the previous day to determine the sentencing recommendation for former President Yoon. The team is reportedly leaning toward the death penalty or life imprisonment, having found no grounds for mitigation. During the meeting, some argued that the death penalty should be sought, citing the gravity of the crime, Yoon's consistent evasion of responsibility, and his lack of remorse throughout the trial. However, others reportedly felt that, considering the potential societal repercussions and the likely actual sentence, recommending life imprisonment would be more appropriate.