Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
South Korean prosecutors have requested death penalty for former president Yin Xiyeol Charged with rebellion Martial law was temporarily imposed December 2024.
Mr Yin is accused of conspiring with top aides Provoking armed aggression by North Koreajustifying the decision and consolidating his power amid waning support.
He has always denied the accusations and insisted that the statement fell within his presidential authority.
In closing arguments at the Seoul Central District Court, prosecutors said investigators had confirmed the existence of a plan allegedly directed by Mr. Yoon and his former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, dating to October 2023, to keep Mr. Yoon in power.
The former president was impeached by Congress and arrested on January 15 last year for this brief statement, becoming South Korea’s first sitting president to suffer such a fate.
Mr Yoon and five of his cabinet ministers are among 24 people charged related offenses uprising The allegations followed a six-month investigation. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty.
Investigators have previously accused Mr Yoon and military leaders of authorizing covert drone flights to North Korea as part of a coordinated strategy to escalate tensions.
Prosecutors say when the plan failed to spark a confrontation, the president immediately announced martial law Regardless, he branded his political opponents – including the then chairman of the People’s Power party – as “anti-national forces”.
Within hours, thousands took to the streets of Seoul in protest as legislators and legislators – including members of his own party – tried to block the order.
Mr Yoon, who narrowly won the presidency in 2022, has faced increasing unpopularity since taking office, with his approval rating plummeting to 17% before the events that triggered his decision to impose martial law.
“We know from historical experience that Reasons given by those in power for the coup It’s just a facade with the sole purpose of monopolizing and maintaining power,” special prosecutor Cho Eun-seok told reporters last month.
“In order to create grounds for declaring martial law, they tried to lure North Korea into launching armed aggression, but failed because North Korea did not respond militarily,” he added.
Mr Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, remains under separate investigation by a separate special prosecutor for alleged corruption related to his activities before and during his term as president. Prosecutors said there was no evidence linking Kim to the alleged conspiracy.
The former president argued that he imposed martial law as a warning to the opposition about abuses of parliamentary power.
The Seoul Central District Court is expected to rule on the case in February.