Ousted S Korean president Yoon s criminal trial begins supporters continue to rally

SEOUL - He was the star prosecutor-general who gained fame for putting two former South Korean presidents behind bars.

In a twist of fate, the same person, recently ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol, now finds himself in the dock, facing criminal charges of insurrection for his shock declaration of martial law on Dec 3, 2024, that was overturned a few hours later by South Korean lawmakers.

Outside the Seoul Central District Court where the hearing was held on April 14, about 30 supporters of Yoon had gathered in the rain before the court session began, huddled under umbrellas and raincoats and carrying “Yoon Again” placards.

This is a far cry from the hundreds of supporters who had turned up to support him during the Constitutional Court hearings and kept vigil outside the presidential residence during that period.

After Yoon’s failed martial law attempt, the National Assembly voted to impeach him on Dec 14, 2024, a decision that was later upheld by the Constitutional Court on April 4.

The criminal trial on April 14 began in the morning, with Yoon denying all the charges.

Dressed in his usual navy blue suit, the former president gave an opening statement that lasted 40 minutes.

In the statement, he repeated the assertions he had made during the Constitutional Court proceedings that his declaration of martial law was a “message to the public” and not an act of insurrection.

“The martial law was made to clearly let the public know about the country’s desperate situation. This is different from the past martial law, which pursued military rule. It was made to protect freedom and democracy. Military coup and rule destroy freedom and democracy,” insisted Yoon.

The first hearing lasted more than eight hours, with a two-hour lunch break in between.

The next court session is