South Korea Launches New Trial Against Former President Yoon Over Failed Martial Law Attempt

South Korea has opened a new legal case against former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office earlier this year. On Friday, Yoon denied all allegations brought against him, including obstruction, as proceedings began following his weeks-long refusal to attend a separate trial related to accusations that he led a failed attempt to impose martial law.
Yoon, 64, appeared in court looking visibly thinner, with short-cropped grey hair. He had remained out of the public eye for over two months while in detention and had not appeared in court since early July, citing health issues.
Seeking to have him released on bail, his legal representatives argued that his detention was unnecessary as he was not a flight risk. They said it also hampered his ability to defend himself effectively against what they described as a “witchhunt.”

“The unrelenting pace and intensity of the trial and continued investigation have aggravated complications from pre-existing illnesses,” the lawyers said.

Yoon, who was removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April, is also under investigation by another special prosecutor who has filed corruption charges against his wife.
Yoon has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains that his decision to declare martial law in December was within his legal powers as president. He has dismissed all investigations against him as “politically motivated.”
If convicted under the latest charges, he could face more than three years in prison. A conviction on insurrection charges could lead to a life sentence or the death penalty.