The first instance sentencing trial for former President Yoon Suk-yeol has officially begun, amid serious allegations related to his declaration of a state of emergency and subsequent actions deemed unconstitutional. This trial is significant as it takes place 444 days after the emergency was declared on December 3, 2024, highlighting the ongoing political tensions in South Korea.

During the court proceedings held at the Seoul Central District Court, Yoon entered the courtroom dressed in a navy suit, underscoring the gravity of the situation. He faces accusations of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to declare an unconstitutional state of emergency, which allegedly involved tumultuous actions such as occupying the National Assembly and detaining major political figures without warrants.

Prosecutors have intensified their case against Yoon, seeking the death penalty for his alleged role as the leader of this rebellion. The case has drawn significant national attention, reflecting deep divisions in South Korean society over governance, legal accountability, and political integrity, as this trial proceeds under the scrutinizing gaze of both supporters and opponents of Yoon’s administration.