Former South Korean president to stand trial for imposing martial law - Yonhap
Photo: Yoon Suk Yeol (Getty Images)
Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol will face his first criminal trial tomorrow, 10 days after the Constitutional Court removed him from office, according to Yonhap and Bloomberg.
Yoon is accused of attempting to impose martial law in the country in December 2024. The former official will now appear as a defendant in Courtroom 417 of the Seoul Central District Court, where trials of former presidents have been held.
According to court rules, Yoon must be present at the hearing in person, but he will be allowed to enter through the underground parking lot to avoid public exposure. No photographs or video recordings will be allowed in the courtroom.
The session will begin with a formal identity check, followed by the presentation of charges by the prosecution. It is expected that Yoon's legal team will reject all accusations, in line with their earlier statements during the pre-trial process.
Key witnesses include two army officers who had previously testified during impeachment hearings against Yoon, stating that they received orders to forcibly remove lawmakers following the martial law scenario imposed by the former president.
Yoon becomes the fifth former South Korean president to stand before a criminal court, following Chun Doo Hwan, Roh Tae Woo, Lee Myung Bak, and Park Geun Hye.
South Korea elections
Following Yoon's final removal from office, early presidential elections have been scheduled in the country. The official vote will take place on June 3.
There are currently two main candidates for the position. The first is Minister of Labor Kim Moon Soo, who has resigned and announced his intention to run. The second is lawmaker Ahn Cheol Soo, who was the first to support the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
