Death Penalty or Life Imprisonment for Yoon... Sentencing Hearings and Verdicts to Follow in Succession

Special Prosecutor’s Closing Arguments and Sentencing Recommendation
Yoon Faces Choice Between Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment
Key Figures in Martial Law Case Await Sentencing Hearings and Verdicts Immediately After
January 28: "Super Sentenc

Death penalty or life imprisonment? The sentencing hearing to determine the punishment for former President Yoon Sukyeol, who is charged as the leader of a rebellion, began on January 9. With the special prosecutor's sentencing recommendation serving as the starting point, sentencing hearings and verdicts for other key defendants in the martial law and rebellion cases are expected to follow in succession. As a result, the court's initial decision is anticipated to serve as a compass for the direction of future trials.

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at a continuation trial on charges of leading a rebellion held on December 29 last year at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On January 9, the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyon) began the sentencing hearing for former President Yoon, who has been indicted on charges including leading a rebellion, starting at 9:20 a.m. During the trial, after the completion of evidence examination, the special prosecutor's team will present their final opinion and sentencing recommendation, followed by the defense counsel's closing arguments. The final statements of the eight defendants, including former President Yoon and former Minister of National Defense Kim Yonghyun, will also take place.

The special prosecutor's final statement will be delivered by Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Eoksu. The main focus of the hearing is what sentence the special prosecutor's team will recommend to the court for former President Yoon. The statutory penalties for leading a rebellion are death, life imprisonment, or life penal servitude. The special prosecutor is considering recommending either the death penalty or life imprisonment. As of 10:47 a.m. on January 9, the defense team for Kim Yonghyun is presenting their statement.

It is reported that the special prosecutor's team, after a six-hour meeting attended by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok and others the previous day, comprehensively reviewed the charges and degree of responsibility for all defendants, including former President Yoon, before finalizing the sentencing recommendations. The court is expected to begin drafting the verdict as soon as the sentencing hearing concludes. The ruling is anticipated to be delivered in early February, before the regular judicial personnel appointments.

On January 9, 2025, a supporter is holding a photo of former President Yoon Seokyeol, who is charged with leading an insurrection, in front of the Seoul Central District Court where the sentencing hearing was held. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Meanwhile, following the sentencing recommendation for former President Yoon on charges of leading a rebellion, sentencing hearings and verdicts for other major defendants involved in the martial law and special prosecutor investigations are also scheduled to proceed in succession. On January 12, the sentencing hearing for former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin, who is accused of ordering power and water cutoffs to media outlets, will take place. On January 21, the verdict for former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who is charged with aiding and abetting the leaders of the rebellion, is scheduled. On January 28, separate verdicts are set for First Lady Kim Keonhee, who has been indicted and detained on charges including stock price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, as well as for Kweon Seongdong, a member of the People Power Party, and Yoon Youngho, former head of the Unification Church World Headquarters.

With the three special prosecutors having brought a total of 121 individuals to trial, the Seoul Central District Court and Seoul High Court are expected to deliver a series of rulings on the extensive records starting early next year. Although the first verdict will proceed independently from the main rebellion case, it is drawing attention as it may serve as an initial indicator of which facts and legal interpretations the court will adopt in the subsequent series of trials.