Two Out of Three Koreans Expect Yoon to Receive Death Penalty or Life Sentence; Only 18% Expect Acquittal

Two out of three South Koreans expect former President Yoon Suk Yeol to be sentenced to death or life imprisonment in the first trial on charges of leading an insurrection, which is scheduled for February 19, the day after the Lunar New Year holiday.
According to a public opinion poll released on February 16 by MBC, which commissioned Korea Research International, the largest share of respondents, 43%, answered that Yoon would likely receive a life sentence because some of the insurrection charges would be upheld in the first-instance ruling.
Another 32% said that most of the insurrection charges would be upheld and that he would likely receive the death penalty. In total, 75% of respondents expected a heavy sentence. By contrast, only 18% said the insurrection charges would not be recognized and that he would likely be acquitted.
Expectations of a life sentence were highest among those aged 18 to 29, at 55%. Expectations of the death penalty were higher among people in their 40s (44%) and those in their 50s and 60s (39% each). By region and political leaning, the share of respondents expecting the maximum sentence was high in Gwangju and the Jeolla region (51%), among those with progressive views (52%), and among supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea (51%).
On the other hand, expectations of acquittal were relatively higher among those aged 70 and older (28%), residents of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (29%), and supporters of the People Power Party (53%).
The MBC poll was conducted by Korea Research International over three days from February 11 to 13, targeting men and women aged 18 and older nationwide. The survey used virtual (safe) mobile phone numbers provided by the three major domestic telecom companies and was carried out through telephone interviews. Out of 8,318 people contacted, 1,000 responded, yielding a response rate of 12%. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
hwlee@fnnews.com Lee Hwan-joo Reporter