South Korea Special Counsel Again Seeks Death Penalty For Ex-President Yoon

SEOUL, Oct 29 (NNN-Yonhap) -- A special counsel team on Thursday sought the death penalty for South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol during his appeal trial on insurrection charges stemming from his failed attempt to impose martial law, Yonhap News Agency reported. 

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team requested the sentence during proceedings at the Seoul High Court, eight months after a lower court sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment for staging a riot through his declaration of martial law on Dec 3, 2024.

The team had recommended capital punishment during the first-instance trial as well.

Yoon declared martial law with the stated aim of eradicating anti-state forces, though the order was lifted six hours later by a vote by the National Assembly.

The Seoul High Court plans to hold two additional hearings before setting a sentencing date.

Yoon's final statement is scheduled to be delivered next Thursday.

--NNN-YONHAP