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Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Yoon Suk Yeol

By Drooid · Oct 29, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk asked a Seoul court to impose the death penalty on former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Seoul High Court heard the appeal on October 29, 2026, with prosecutors urging maximum sentence.
Prosecutors argue Yoon’s December 3, 2024 martial-law decree constituted a pro-government coup d’état.
A lower court sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment in February 2025.
The Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, removing him from office in April 2025.

History

In March 2004 the National Assembly voted 193-2 to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun for illegal electioneering, prompting massive street protests. The Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment on 14 May 2004, restoring Roh’s mandate and setting a precedent for judicial review of executive conduct. Today, South Korean prosecutors’ pursuit of a former president revives that accountability debate.

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In March 2004 the National Assembly voted 193-2 to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun for illegal electioneering, prompting massive street protests. The Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment on 14 May 2004, restoring Roh’s mandate and setting a precedent for judicial review of executive conduct. Today, South Korean prosecutors’ pursuit of a former president revives that accountability debate.

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