Democratic Party of Korea has described the independent counsel’s demand for a death sentence against former President Yoon Suk Yeol as a “just outcome” and a “commonsense conclusion” on January 13, 2026, amid ongoing legal proceedings over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024.
The party urged the judiciary to deliver a verdict aligned with public sentiment, emphasizing that the law must hold accountable those who endanger democracy, referring to Yoon’s actions as an attempt to undermine constitutional order. This statement came as the Seoul court confirmed the prosecution’s request for the death penalty on charges of rebellion and insurrection, with a verdict expected in February 2026.
DPK officials framed the sentencing demand as a declaration of legal equality, while opposition figures criticized it as politically motivated revenge. The controversy stems from Yoon’s short-lived martial law decree, which led to his impeachment and arrest, highlighting deep political divisions in South Korea as the nation grapples with the fallout from the failed power grab.
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