World News

Prosecutor seeks death penalty for ousted former president Yoon on appeal

A special prosecutor sought execution at a Seoul High Court appeal hearing, and no verdict date has been set.

Updated Oct 29, 2026 · 18:24 UTC2 reports

The short version

A special prosecutor demanded the death penalty for ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol at an appeals court hearing.[ABC News · Associated Press]
The Seoul High Court has not set a verdict date for Yoon's appeal of a February life sentence for rebellion.[ABC News · Associated Press]
South Korea has not executed anyone since 1997, which makes an execution unlikely despite the demand.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Yoon's legal team said the prosecution's case lacked evidence and legal reasoning, and that the martial law aimed to raise awareness.[ABC News · Associated Press]

A South Korean special prosecutor demanded the death penalty for ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol ahead of an appeals court verdict on rebellion charges.[ABC News · Associated Press]
The Seoul High Court has not set a date for a verdict on Yoon's appeal of a life sentence handed down in February by the Seoul Central District Court.[ABC News · Associated Press]
South Korea has not executed anyone since 1997, which makes an execution unlikely despite the prosecutor's demand.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Yoon's legal team said prosecutors were repeating an argument lacking evidence and legal logic, and that the martial law was meant to raise public awareness.[ABC News · Associated Press]

The date of the Seoul High Court verdict and the resulting sentence are not yet known.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Whether the court will accept the prosecution's death penalty demand is unresolved, and Yoon's legal team disputes the prosecution's argument.[ABC News · Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.