A death sentence was demanded for Yun Sok Yol

The appellate court in South Korea is continuing its hearing on the charge of attempting state insurrection against former President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yonhap news agency reported.

According to Yonhap, the special prosecution has again demanded the death penalty for the former state leader. The case relates to the declaration of martial law in the country in 2024.

The trial was temporarily suspended due to Yoon Suk Yeol's request to annul the verdict, but the Supreme Court rejected this request. According to the Supreme Court's decision, annulling the verdict is not possible because certain procedures and rules were not followed during the trial.

Earlier, the court of first instance found Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of leading an attempt at state insurrection and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The court determined his role and position in the attempt to impose a state of emergency in the country in October 2024.

The court assessed Yoon Suk Yeol's actions as a threat to national security and a violation of the constitutional order. The prosecution considers this sentence too lenient.

It also emphasized that the writings of former military commander No San Von should be considered as important evidence. According to the prosecution, these documents confirm that the attempt at state insurrection was planned and detail its internal aspects.

If the appellate court sentences the former president to death, he will become the first person in South Korean history to hold the presidency and then be sentenced to death. Although the South Korean Constitution does not provide for the death penalty for the president, the court has the authority to make an exception in such circumstances.

Recall that Yoon Suk Yeol previously managed to avoid criminal liability in a number of cases. During his term, he was deprived of presidential powers due to losing the court's trust.

This may have been the main reason for his attempt at state insurrection.