Death penalty bid against ex-President Yoon puts South Korea’s democracy and human rights on trial

MIXED VIEWS OVER DEATH SENTENCE REQUEST

Still, reactions have been sharply divided.

Jung Chung-rae, leader of the ruling Democratic Party, welcomed the prosecutors’ recommendation, saying a firm response is necessary to prevent future threats to democracy.

“It must be decisively settled once and for all, so that no one can ever dare to attempt another coup, declare martial law or undermine the constitutional order and democracy,” he said.

Human rights groups, however, have cautioned against pursuing capital punishment.

“No one is above the law, including a former president, but seeking the death penalty is a step backward,” said Amnesty International’s death penalty adviser Chiara Sangiorgio in a statement on Tuesday.

“The death penalty is an inherently cruel, inhuman and irreversible punishment that has no place in a justice system that claims to respect human rights.”

She added that while accountability is necessary, seeking the death penalty runs counter to the principles of human rights and dignity that the rule of law is meant to uphold.