SOUTH Korean prosecutors requested a 30-year prison term for ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol today over allegations that he deliberately tried to escalate tensions with North Korea in order to justify imposing martial law in 2024.

Mr Yoon is charged with benefiting an adversary and abusing his powers, which are among a long list of indictments against the former conservative leader over his short-lived imposition of martial law in South Korea in December 2024.

The request came in the closing stages of a trial at the Seoul Central District Court, where a team of investigators led by special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk said Mr Yoon and his top defence officials were responsible for alleged drone infiltrations into North Korea, about two months before he imposed martial law while portraying the liberals as North Korea-sympathising, “anti-state” forces.

Mr Yoon was sentenced to life in prison in February after being found guilty of the more serious rebellion charge.