Yoon Suk Yeol faces second hearing in insurrection trial over martial law attempt

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol returns to court as media gain access to high-profile insurrection case.

South Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol attends his criminal trial on insurrection charges at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on April 21, 2025. Photo by Jung Yeon-je/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court on Monday for the second hearing in his high-stakes criminal trial, facing insurrection charges stemming from his abrupt and controversial attempt to declare martial law in December. The hearing, held in a courtroom packed with legal observers and reporters, marked the first time media were permitted to film the proceedings involving the former head of state.

Yoon Suk Yeol’s insurrection trial has gripped South Korea’s political and judicial landscape, following months of constitutional upheaval that began with his unprecedented martial law declaration on December 3. The order, which sent armed soldiers to the National Assembly, shocked the nation and drew swift condemnation from political leaders across the ideological spectrum.

Earlier this month, the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon, stripping him of his office and paving the way for a criminal trial. His formal removal from office marked the final chapter in a turbulent presidency and a dramatic fall from grace for a man once hailed for his anti-corruption platform.

Media allowed inside courtroom for the first time

Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, Yoon appeared largely indifferent as cameras captured his demeanor in court. Seated at the defendant’s table, he avoided eye contact with the press. Monday’s hearing represented a pivotal moment in the legal process, with journalists and television crews allowed to document the proceedings for the first time.

The former president had previously spoken at length during his initial court appearance last week, delivering a 90-minute statement denying the charge of insurrection. He insisted that the military deployment was a temporary and legal measure in response to what he described as “an imminent national crisis,” though he provided little evidence to support this claim.

Yoon’s defense team argues that the martial law declaration was never fully implemented and therefore should not meet the legal threshold for insurrection. Prosecutors, however, contend that the deployment of troops to a civilian government building was a direct attempt to usurp democratic authority and constitutes a grave breach of South Korea’s constitutional order.

Legal precedent and the possibility of a death sentence

The Yoon Suk Yeol insurrection trial has revived historical parallels with South Korea’s authoritarian past, particularly the 1979 military coup that brought General Chun Doo-hwan to power. If convicted, Yoon could become only the third South Korean leader found guilty of insurrection, joining two ex-military dictators in that grim chapter of the country’s history.

Under South Korean law, a conviction for insurrection carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Though executions have not been carried out in South Korea since 1997, the legal code still permits capital punishment in cases deemed exceptional by the court. Legal analysts say it is unlikely Yoon would face execution if found guilty, but note that a life sentence remains a real possibility given the seriousness of the charges.

Attempted raid on presidential compound raises tensions

In a separate but related development, police forces last week attempted to raid Yoon’s former presidential residence in an effort to execute an arrest warrant connected to obstruction charges. According to police, the raid aimed to investigate allegations that Yoon’s security team had hindered law enforcement efforts during his standoff with authorities in January.

However, the operation failed after members of the Presidential Security Service, who remained loyal to Yoon, refused officers entry to the compound. Police sources described the incident as “an obstruction of justice,” suggesting that further legal consequences may follow for individuals who prevented the search.

The confrontation follows a tense standoff earlier this year, when Yoon barricaded himself inside the presidential compound after his impeachment. Protected by loyal guards, the former president spent several weeks refusing to surrender, even as investigators surrounded the residence. Barbed wire, metal barricades, and surveillance drones turned the presidential estate into a fortress, with law enforcement personnel forced to scale fences and use ladders to approach the building.

Political ramifications and divided public opinion

The Yoon Suk Yeol insurrection trial has exposed deep divisions within South Korean society. Supporters of the former president maintain that his declaration of martial law was a justified, if controversial, response to what they describe as political sabotage and media manipulation. Detractors, however, see Yoon’s actions as a direct assault on democratic governance and the rule of law.

Public opinion polls released in recent weeks show a sharp decline in Yoon’s approval ratings, particularly among younger voters who overwhelmingly view the military intervention as an overreach of executive power. Civil society groups have organized protests outside the courthouse demanding accountability and transparency in the trial.

Despite his legal troubles, Yoon has not ruled out a return to political life, with some reports suggesting he may attempt to form a new political party if acquitted. Political analysts believe such a move would likely splinter the conservative opposition and further destabilize the already fragmented political landscape ahead of the next general election.

What comes next in the Yoon Suk Yeol insurrection trial

The court is expected to continue hearings throughout the spring, with testimony from key military commanders and political advisors who were present during the December 3 incident. Legal experts believe the prosecution will focus heavily on proving intent—namely, that Yoon deliberately used military force to suppress legislative oversight and prolong his grip on power.

Defense attorneys, meanwhile, are likely to argue that no actual harm was inflicted and that Yoon’s orders were misunderstood or miscommunicated in the chaotic hours after the martial law directive. They will also point to Yoon’s voluntary surrender after initial resistance, as evidence that he never intended to permanently defy the law.

Regardless of the outcome, the Yoon Suk Yeol insurrection trial is poised to reshape South Korea’s legal and political framework. It raises enduring questions about presidential power, civilian oversight of the military, and the resilience of democratic institutions in the face of authoritarian temptation.

With more hearings scheduled in the coming weeks and the media now granted full access to proceedings, public interest in the case is expected to intensify. The verdict, when it comes, will almost certainly leave a lasting imprint on South Korea’s democratic legacy.