The Seoul court on February 19 found Yoon Suk-yeol guilty of unlawfully declaring martial law on December 3, 2024, which the court classified as an attempted coup aimed at undermining the work of the National Assembly. The court ruling notes that the former president personally organized the coup and played a key role, leading to significant social consequences. The prosecution insisted on the death penalty for him.
According to the agency, the appeal aims not only to overturn the sentence. "We consider it important to point out the issues related to this decision, both for the judicial system and for future historical records. We will not remain silent about the excessive activity of the special prosecutor, the controversial verdict of the first court, and the political motives behind this case," the defense statement reads.
In addition to Yoon Suk-yeol, seven other defendants also received sentences for their participation in the coup. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hen was sentenced to 30 years in prison, former head of the National Police Agency Cho Ji-ho to 12 years, and former head of the Seoul Police Agency Kim Bong-sik to 10 years.
It is worth noting that Yoon Suk-yeol was previously sentenced to five years in prison in another case for interfering with justice.
