Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the sixth hearing of his insurrection trial Monday, marking his first public appearance since the June 3 presidential election. The former president arrived at the Seoul Central District Court, choosing not to respond to journalists' inquiries regarding his views on the election outcome or the National Assembly's recent approval of special counsel bills aimed at him and his wife, Kim Keon Hee.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon faces serious charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his power during his failed attempt to impose martial law in December, which led to his impeachment and removal from office. The election to choose his successor took place last week, resulting in his former rival Lee Jae-myung assuming the presidency immediately.
Lee Sang-hyun, the former head of the 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade, has been called to testify for the second consecutive hearing. In the previous session, he recounted hearing on the day of the martial law attempt that Yoon had instructed the head of the Army Special Warfare Command to forcibly remove lawmakers from the National Assembly building, even if it required breaking down doors.
If found guilty of insurrection, Yoon could face the maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death.