Daijiworld Media Network - Seoul

Seoul, Apr 21: Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in the defendant’s seat for the first time during his second insurrection trial hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on Monday. Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, Yoon maintained a stoic expression as cameras flashed, marking a dramatic moment in the high-profile legal proceedings.

The court permitted limited filming at the start of the session, citing public interest. Photographers were asked to exit before formal proceedings began.

Yoon, once the country’s top prosecutor, faces grave charges of leading an insurrection by briefly imposing martial law on December 3. Prosecutors allege he deployed troops to the National Assembly in an attempt to block lawmakers from overturning the decree. He was later impeached and removed from office on April 4 after the Constitutional Court upheld the decision unanimously.

During Monday's witness questioning, Yoon's legal team cross-examined Cho Sung-hyun, commander of the First Security Group of the Capital Defence Command. Cho had earlier claimed he was ordered to remove lawmakers during martial law. “In a military operation, there cannot be an order to drag out lawmakers,” Cho said, questioning the feasibility of such instructions.

Another witness, Kim Hyung-ki, a Special Forces commander, had echoed similar claims during the previous hearing.

Yoon, who denies all allegations, argued in the first session that his actions did not constitute an insurrection. The prosecution, however, insists he aimed to incite unrest and dismantle constitutional order.

If convicted, Yoon faces life imprisonment or even the death penalty under South Korean law.