Yoon Suk-yeol Sentencing D-1... Seo Jungwook Says "He Will Be Pardoned Within 5 Years"

"Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were released after serving just two years"
"Death sentence would only reinforce his image as a martyr"

Former President Yoon Sukyeol. Photo by Joint Press Corps

As former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is currently on trial for being the ringleader of an insurrection, faces a death sentence being sought by prosecutors, attorney Seo Jungwook, known as a close associate of the former president and his wife, predicted, "He will be pardoned in a few years."

On the 15th, attorney Seo Jungwook appeared on YTN Radio's "Kim Youngsoo's The Interview" and stated, "None of the previous presidents have served more than five years," making this prediction.

Seo explained, "Looking at history, former Presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were released after serving two years. The longest anyone has ever served is less than five years," adding, "Public opinion changes. Regardless of whether he is sentenced to life imprisonment or something else, in a few years, for the sake of national unity, I believe he will be pardoned soon."

Seo also commented on former President Yoon's smile during the sentencing hearing for the insurrection case, which was presided over by Judge Ji Guyoun of the 25th Criminal Division at the Seoul Central District Court on the 13th. Seo argued, "The president has no regrets about the imposition of martial law even now. He can smile because he believes he acted honorably and confidently." At around 9:35 p.m. that day, when Special Prosecutor Park Eoksu pronounced the word "death penalty," former President Yoon was seen smiling.

Seo stated that he himself wanted the death penalty to be sought, saying that it would, in effect, make Yoon a martyr. Seo added, "Since our country has abolished the death penalty, there is no practical effect anyway. Rather, it has now created an image of him being persecuted."

Meanwhile, former President Yoon Suk-yeol is scheduled to face his first trial on charges of obstruction of arrest on the 16th. This will be followed by the trial of former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo on charges of aiding and abetting insurrection on the 21st, and on the 19th of next month, the trial for former President Yoon and former Minister of National Defense Kim Yonghyun on charges of being the ringleaders and planners of the insurrection is also scheduled to take place.