Yoon Suk Yeol denies insurrection charges as trial begins in Seoul

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has begun his criminal trial on charges of insurrection related to his declaration of martial law in December 2024, which prosecutors allege was an attempt to undermine the constitutional order. Yoon, who has denied all allegations, claims the martial law was a symbolic act intended to warn against opposition actions and not a coup attempt. The prosecution has presented evidence suggesting that Yoon planned to mobilize troops to forcibly remove lawmakers from parliament during the brief declaration, which lasted only six hours before being overturned. Witness testimonies are expected to play a crucial role in the trial, with military officers set to testify about orders they received during the incident. If convicted, Yoon faces severe penalties, including life imprisonment or potentially the death penalty, although executions have not occurred in South Korea for decades. The case marks a significant moment in South Korea's political history, with Yoon being the fifth former president to face trial.