Lawyers defending Yoon, who was charged with trying to incite the rebellion, have sought release from custody.
South Korean President Yoon Sook-Yeol appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on allegations that were attempting to coordinate the rebellion when it temporarily imposed martial law in December.
The hearing took place at Seoul Central District Court on Thursday, bringing up security as dozens of supporters gathered nearby, and included discussions on witnesses and other preparations ahead of the criminal trial.
The court will also consider a request to cancel the arrest by Yoon’s lawyers and release him from custody.
In the first such action taken against the sitting South Korean president, police arrested Yoon on January 15 after a week’s standoff on his residential lot.
In a television speech on December 3rd, Yoon declared martial law, and the shock movement was “to protect liberal South Korea from the threat posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate the elements of anti-stars.” There is,” he insisted.
Yoon’s order led to thousands of angry protesters opposed to moving to the streets before parliamentary lawmakers lifted martial law within about six hours of being voted and declared.
Authorities charged Yoon with accusations of carrying out the rebellion on January 26, claiming his order was an illegal attempt to close the National Assembly and arrest politicians and election authorities.
South Korean presidents enjoy immunity from most criminal prosecutions, with exceptions being made on charges of rebellion and treason. If convicted, Yoon faces potential punishment of death or life in prison.
Yoon’s defense minister Kim Yong Hyun, as well as Chief of National Police Jo Ji-ho and several military commanders, were also arrested and charged with rebellion, abuse of power and other charges related to the law.
While it was short-lived, Yoon’s declaration of martial law plunged the country into political turmoil.
On December 14th, the National Assembly voted to suspend Yoon’s presidential forces and to fire each of him.
In the parallel bomb each trial on Yoon’s criminal case, the South Korean constitutional court is now approaching a decision on whether to formally remove him from his mission or reject the motion and revive him.
Seoul’s Al Jazeera correspondent Rob McBride said South Korea will hold elections within 60 days if the court supports Yoon’s blast each.
“The drama continues. Of course, the country remains in a kind of diplomatic sphere,” McBride said outside the Seoul Courthouse, where Yoon’s trial is taking place.
“The country’s representative president Choi Sang-mok has not even spoken by phone. [United States President] Donald Trump, South Korea’s most important ally leader,” he added.
Supporters of Yoon’s voice, which had hundreds of people rioted in Seoul Western District Court after granting arrest last month, protested legal action against him.
Yoon also maintains a rebellious attitude, continues to express light emptying against his free rival, supporting unfounded conspiracy theories of election fraud.
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