South Korean prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law declaration: 'Self-coup'

In South Korea, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office last spring. The request was made during a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday. Yoon is accused of orchestrating a rebellion through a martial law declaration in December 2024, which prosecutors are calling a "self-coup" and "anti-state activity." Yoon claims the declaration was to alert the public to threats from the opposition Democratic Party. He faces multiple criminal proceedings related to the martial law declaration and other controversies from his presidency. The court is expected to deliver a verdict next month, although legal experts believe a life sentence is more likely, as South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997.

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