South Korea’s ex-president Yoon to face insurrection trial

SEOUL: Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol will face his first criminal trial on Monday for insurrection after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December, which plunged the democratic country into political turmoil.

Yoon sought to impose military rule on the country when he ordered the suspension of political activity and the censorship of media on December 3. The decree lasted just six hours as it was voted down by opposition MPs.

The disastrous attempt led to Yoon´s impeachment by the National Assembly shortly thereafter, with the Constitutional Court fully stripping him of his presidential duties on April 4. Although he has lost all presidential privileges, Yoon still faces a criminal trial on insurrection charges, which will kick off Monday.

During a preliminary hearing in February, Yoon´s lawyers argued that his detention had been procedurally flawed, an argument accepted by the court, leading to his release 52 days after his arrest.

He was detained in January in a dawn raid after holding out against police and prosecutors for weeks, becoming the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. If convicted, Yoon could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.