Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared in court on Thursday, facing charges of orchestrating a rebellion linked to his brief imposition of martial law in December. His defense team challenged the legality of his arrest during a preliminary hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, where security was tight, and dozens of supporters gathered in solidarity.
The rebellion charge, stemming from Yoon’s attempt to shut down the National Assembly and arrest politicians, carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment or death. His indictment on January 26 has set the stage for a high-stakes criminal trial. South Korean presidents are typically immune from prosecution, except in cases of rebellion or treason.
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Yoon’s defense argues that the martial law was a temporary measure to issue a warning to the opposition, rather than a deliberate act to dismantle the government. His lawyer, Kim Hong-il, stressed the significance of the trial, calling it a “historic event” and emphasizing the judiciary’s role in maintaining stability. Kim urged the court to safeguard Yoon’s rights throughout the proceedings.
The court also reviewed a request from Yoon’s defense team to cancel his arrest and release him from custody, though such requests are rarely granted. The decision on Yoon’s fate rests with South Korea’s Constitutional Court, which is expected to rule in the coming weeks on whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him following his impeachment in December.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law, which lasted just six hours, has sparked widespread political turmoil, disrupted diplomatic relations, and tested the strength of South Korea’s democratic institutions. If he is removed from office, the country will hold new presidential elections within 60 days.
As tensions rise, Yoon’s conservative supporters have taken to the streets in protest, raising questions about the credibility of the legal process and further polarizing the nation’s political landscape.
