Mr. Yoon became the first South Korean president to appear in criminal court while in office.

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made his first criminal court appearance on the morning of February 20, even though the rules of the preliminary interrogation did not require his presence.

Images of Mr. Yoon were replayed before supporters at a location near the court in Seoul on the morning of February 20.

Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared on February 20 for his first preliminary hearing in a criminal case accusing him of leading a rebellion, making him the first sitting South Korean president to face criminal trial.

Mr Yoon, 65, is still facing impeachment in a trial that is now in its final stages. Last month, he was indicted on charges of rebellion after briefly declaring martial law on December 3, 2024.

The interrogation session at the Seoul Central District Court took place at 10 a.m. on January 20 to clarify the main controversial issues of the case and plan for the next trials.

The preliminary hearing did not require the defendant to be present, but Mr. Yoon still attended the hearing and entered the courtroom in a black suit and red tie.

In court, Mr. Yoon's lawyer, Kim Hong-il, denounced the "illegal investigation" and said the investigating agency had no jurisdiction. He stressed that the martial law imposed by Mr. Yoon was not intended to paralyze the country.

Instead, martial law was intended to "alert the public to the national crisis caused by the legislative dictatorship of the dominant opposition party, which has paralyzed the government."

"The judiciary must act as a stabilizing force," he told the three judges in court, warning that he was "witnessing a reality where illegality exacerbates illegality."

President Yoon's legal representatives said they would clarify their stance on the charges against him at a later date, noting that they had yet to review all the case files.

The court said it would hold another preliminary hearing. Lawyers are expected to deny all charges against Mr. Yoon, as they did in his impeachment trial. The court will then begin considering a request to revoke the arrest warrant and release Mr. Yoon.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-yoon-tro-thanh-tong-thong-han-quoc-dau-tien-ra-toa-hinh-su-khi-duong-nhiem-185250220112642349.htm