Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared in court on Thursday for a hearing where his defense team challenged his arrest on charges of orchestrating a rebellion.
The charges stem from his brief imposition of martial law in December, a move prosecutors argue was an unlawful attempt to shut down the National Assembly and arrest politicians and election officials.
Security was heightened as Yoon’s motorcade arrived at the Seoul Central District Court, with dozens of his supporters gathering nearby.
The preliminary hearing focused on witness testimonies and other preparations for his upcoming criminal trial, while the court also considered Yoon’s lawyers' request to cancel his arrest and release him from custody. Historically, such requests have rarely succeeded.
Yoon, who was indicted on January 26, faces a rebellion charge that carries a potential penalty of death or life imprisonment. Under South Korean law, presidents are generally immune from prosecution, but charges of rebellion or treason are exceptions.
The indictment accuses Yoon of using martial law to suppress the National Assembly, an act his defense argues was intended merely as a temporary warning to the opposition.
Yoon's lawyer, Kim Hong-il, called the trial a "significant event in constitutional history" and urged the judiciary to maintain stability. "The judiciary must serve as the stabilizing force," he told the court, warning against a scenario where "illegality compounds illegality." Kim stressed the importance of protecting Yoon's rights throughout the legal proceedings.
Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended following his impeachment on December 14. South Korea's Constitutional Court is expected to rule soon on whether to formally remove him from office or overturn the impeachment and reinstate him. The court’s decision could take up to two weeks, with precedents from previous impeached presidents Park Geun-hye and Roh Moo-hyun, who waited 11 and 14 days, respectively, for their outcomes.
If Yoon is removed, South Korea will be required to hold new presidential elections within 60 days.
The declaration of martial law, which lasted only six hours, has sparked significant political unrest, disrupted diplomacy, and tested the country's democratic institutions.
In response to his arrest last month, Yoon's conservative supporters rioted outside the Seoul Western District Court, while both his legal team and ruling party officials have raised concerns about the credibility of the courts and law enforcement involved in the case.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ