Amnesty International has expressed concern over prosecutors in South Korea seeking the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol following his imposition of martial law in December 2024. Chiara Sangiorgio of Amnesty International emphasized that while no one is above the law, pursuing the death penalty represents a step backward for human rights. She noted that the death penalty is inherently cruel, inhuman, and irreversible, and has no place in a justice system committed to upholding human dignity.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law placed fundamental human rights at risk, triggering widespread protests and prompting legal action against him. While accountability for such actions is essential, Amnesty International argues that the pursuit of the death penalty contradicts the principles of rights and justice that the rule of law is intended to safeguard.
As a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, South Korea is urged to move toward the abolition of the death penalty. The organization reaffirmed its unconditional opposition to capital punishment under any circumstances.
The December 2024 martial law declaration led to mass protests, with lawmakers intervening in the National Assembly to lift the order within hours. Yoon was subsequently impeached and removed from office by the Constitutional Court.
