Photo: Getty images
The criminal trial of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, accused of attempting a coup after the imposition of martial law in December, will begin on 20 February. This was reported by Yonhap news agency.
Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on 3 December, claiming that it was a necessary measure to protect the country from “North Korea’s communist forces”. However, in fact, this step was directed against the opposition, which has a majority in parliament. The president even sent troops to block the vote to lift the state of emergency, but his attempt quickly collapsed under the pressure of mass protests.
The head of state and his associates, including former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, are accused of conspiring to seize power by force and unconstitutionally impose martial law. According to South Korean law, organising a coup is punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty, although it has not been applied since 1997.
At the same time, Yoon Suk Yeolis undergoing impeachment proceedings before the Constitutional Court following the parliament’s decision on 14 December to remove him. If the court confirms the president’s removal from office, the country will hold early presidential elections within 60 days.
