Special Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty for Yoon Seok-yeol on Rebellion Charges... Court: "Verdict Will Be Based on Constitution and Law, Ruling Next Month" (Comprehensive Update 2)

'Marathon Trial' Concludes After 17 Hours
Special Prosecutor Seeks Maximum Sentence: Death Penalty
Yoon Delivers 90-Minute Final Statement: "A Frenzied Sword Dance of Rebellion Fabrication"
First Verdict Scheduled for 3 p.m. on February 19

The trial of former President Yoon Seokyeol, who faces charges as the leader of the insurrection in relation to the 12·3 Martial Law, concluded in the early morning of January 14 after nearly 17 hours. The special prosecutor's team for the insurrection, led by Cho Eunseok, demanded the death penalty for former President Yoon, while Yoon pleaded his innocence for 90 minutes during his final statement. The verdict for former President Yoon's first trial will be delivered on February 19.

Former President Yoon Seokyeol attending the trial for 'Leader of the Rebellion'. Provided by Seoul Central District Court. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Criminal Agreement Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun) held the final hearing on the charges of insurrection leadership against former President Yoon and the charges of engaging in important insurrection duties against seven military and police leaders, including former Minister of National Defense Kim Yonghyun, starting at 9:30 a.m. the previous day. The defense team's document evidence review lasted about nine hours, extending the proceedings, and the arguments finally concluded around 2:25 a.m. after midnight.

The court announced that the sentencing for the eight defendants would take place at 3 p.m. on February 19, after the completion of their final statements. Presiding Judge Ji stated, "Although the court has strived to conduct the trial as fairly and promptly as possible, there may have been shortcomings," and added, "The conclusion of this case will be determined solely based on the Constitution, the law, and the evidence."

Yoon's 90-Minute Final Statement: "I Became Prey to the Insurrection Narrative of a Pack of Wolves"

Former President Yoon, his face flushed, delivered his final statement in a raised voice from 12:11 a.m. to 1:41 a.m. He argued, "Just a few hours of martial law-the shortest in modern history-were branded as insurrection, prompting all investigative agencies and even a massive special prosecutor investigation, indiscriminately indicting countless public officials who were faithfully performing their duties," and described it as "a frenzied dance of purges and repression."

He continued, "As president, I declared martial law to inform the public of the national emergency and to appeal for their participation in overcoming it," emphasizing, "The martial law decree became prey to the insurrection narrative of a pack of wolves."

Former President Yoon further argued, "The troops deployed to the National Assembly were unarmed and were assaulted by the crowd, while lawmakers entered the main chamber without any hindrance and promptly lifted the martial law. The indictment is nothing but delusion and fiction."

In his final statement, former Minister Kim stated, "The reckless actions of the major opposition party disrupted constitutional order and turned a legitimate martial law into an insurrection," adding, "Where else is there an insurrection or riot where soldiers are not even issued live ammunition and the safety of the people is the top priority?"

Special Prosecutor: "Yoon Must Be Judged More Severely Than Chun Doo-hwan"-Death Penalty Sought; Life Sentence Demanded for Kim Yonghyun

The special prosecutor's team stated, "We must judge the constitutional order-destroying acts committed by public office elites more strictly than the cases involving Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, to show that the Republic of Korea can defend its constitutional order through its criminal justice system," and demanded the death penalty. They continued, "The martial law was a grave constitutional violation perpetrated by anti-state forces. The defendant has never shown remorse or apologized to the public. There are no circumstances that warrant special consideration in favor of the defendant."

Additionally, the special prosecutor requested a life sentence for former Minister Kim, who was identified as the "second-in-command" of the martial law. The team stated, "The defendant acted in complete concert with Yoon Seokyeol from the planning to the execution stages of the insurrection. He was a key figure who, together with former President Yoon, planned and led the insurrection, organized and operated the military mobilization, and held a position no different from that of the leader."

Former President Yoon Seok-yeol showing a smile during the decision trial of the leader of the insurrection. Provided by Seoul Central District Court Yonhap News Agency

On this day, former President Yoon, sitting in the defendant's seat with short hair and wearing a navy suit, showed a faint smile when the special prosecutor requested the death penalty. The courtroom became disorderly following the sentencing requests. Supporters in the gallery hurled insults at the special prosecutor's team, shouting phrases such as "crazy bastard" and "son of a bitch," while some spectators burst into laughter. There were also intense reactions from the gallery when the life sentence was sought for former Minister Kim. The court requested order, asking, "Please remain quiet."

Furthermore, the special prosecutor demanded a 30-year prison sentence for former Army Intelligence Commander Noh Sangwon, who is suspected of being part of the secret martial law group; a 20-year sentence for former National Police Agency Commissioner Cho Jiho, accused of participating in the blockade of the National Assembly; and a 15-year sentence for former Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Kim Bongsik. In addition, former Third Army Command Military Police Chief Kim Yonggun, a colonel, who is accused of conspiring in advance with Commander Noh regarding the martial law, was also requested to be sentenced to 15 years, while former Seoul Metropolitan Police National Assembly Security Chief Mok Hyuntae was requested to receive a 12-year sentence. Former National Police Agency Criminal Investigation Planning and Coordination Officer Yoon Seungyoung was requested to be sentenced to 10 years.

Even in insurrection cases, if there are mitigating circumstances, the judge may reduce the sentence. The death penalty can be commuted to life imprisonment or imprisonment for 20 to 50 years; life imprisonment or life detention can be reduced to imprisonment or detention for 10 to 50 years.