(LEAD) Special counsel demands death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law declaration

▲ Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (4th from R) attends his insurrection trial at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital on Jan. 13, 2026, in this photo provided by the court. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) ex-president-trial

(LEAD) Special counsel demands death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law declaration

(ATTN: UPDATES with sentencing request; CHANGES headline, photo)

By Lee Haye-ah

SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Yonhap) -- A special counsel team on Tuesday demanded the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed imposition of martial law, describing him as the ringleader of an insurrection who sought to stay in power by seizing control of the judiciary and legislature.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team requested the sentence during the final hearing of Yoon's trial at the Seoul Central District Court.

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