Death Penalty Possible? Yoon Suk Yeol Insurrection Trial 2026 Reaches Final Hearings

A single decree of martial law has brought a former head of state to the defendant's chair. The insurrection trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, accused of leading the December 2024 attempt to subvert the Constitution, is set to conclude this week. According to Yonhap, the Seoul Central District Court will hold four hearings starting Monday to wrap up the landmark case.

Yoon Suk Yeol Insurrection Trial 2026: The Final Push

Legal sources indicate that the court will focus on questioning former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun before moving to final arguments on Wednesday and Friday. The world's eyes are on special counsel Cho Eun-suk, who's expected to request one of three punishments for the insurrection leader: the death penalty, life imprisonment, or life imprisonment without forced labor.

The case involves eight defendants, including former police chief Cho Ji-ho. They're charged with conspiring to stage a riot and illegally deploying troops to seal off the National Assembly. While most defendants will face their final hearings this week, Cho's final arguments might be delayed to January 22 due to his battle with blood cancer.

Sentencing Expected in Early February

If the hearings proceed as planned, the court's sentencing will likely occur in early February. Yoon's legal journey has been turbulent; he became the first sitting president to be indicted with physical detention in January 2025. Prosecutors allege he specifically ordered the arrest of the National Assembly speaker and opposition leaders during the failed martial law attempt, a move seen as a direct assault on democratic pillars.