Yoon Suk Yeol: 12. Absence in the trial – is he facing the death penalty?

Yoon Suk Yeol: 12. Absence in the trial – is he facing the death penalty?

The case of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is currently causing a stir in the country's political landscape. On September 30, 2025, Yoon failed to appear in court again - for the twelfth time. Loud yna he suffers from dizziness and vomiting, which makes his presence difficult. The central court in Seoul still decided to continue the hearing without him, as criminal procedure law allows this if the defendant is absent without a valid reason.

Yoon is accused, among other things, of inciting insurrection and abuse of power, most notably in connection with his botched declaration of martial law in December 2024. That declaration, made in response to alleged threats from North Korea, triggered South Korea's worst political crisis since 1987 Le Figaro reported. The accusation is that Yoon, for example, sent soldiers to parliament to prevent a vote against the emergency measures taken.

Accusations and legal consequences

The list of allegations against the former president is long. Yoon risked a life sentence. As early as July 6, 2025, special investigators at the Central Court in Seoul applied for an arrest warrant against him, fearing that he might flee or destroy evidence. In April 2025, Yoon was deposed by the Constitutional Court after he falsely invoked martial powers.

The serious charges also include that Yoon knowingly created false documents to prove that both the prime minister and the defense minister had agreed to the declaration of martial law. Franceinfo highlights that he did not follow the necessary procedures for declaring martial law, including عدم عقد اجتماع مع جميع أعضاء الحكومة.

Now let's move on

Since his arrest and the re-regular hearing, Yoon has been in custody, having already been imprisoned from January to March 2025. His second arrest came on July 10, 2025, after a judge expressed concerns that the ex-president could tamper with evidence. Despite his absence from the courtroom, his lawyers have already argued in a previous trial that the prosecution's evidence was insufficient and the request for arrest warrants was unfounded Le Figaro adds.

The events surrounding Yoon Suk Yeol paint a picture of uncertainty and political tension in South Korea. As the country awaits a verdict, the question remains how these allegations will impact the future political landscape.