South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in a Seoul court for his impeachment trial Tuesday, defending his short-lived martial law bid and denying charges that he ordered the military to drag lawmakers away.

South Korea's Constitutional Court adjourned the opening session of the impeachment trial of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol within minutes on Tuesday, after the embattled leader did not attend court.

South Korea hit another political milestone on Sunday, as impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol became the country’s first sitting president ever to be indicted.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was arrested on charges of leading an insurrection, talks with his lawyer at the impeachment trial held at the Constitutional Court in central Seoul on January 21.

(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend a rally to oppose his impeachment near the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials in Gwacheon, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.

Suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol will attend the fourth hearing of his impeachment trial on Thursday, his lawyers said, as former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun is slated to appear and testify as well.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attended on Tuesday a Constitutional Court hearing of his impeachment trial where the detained leader may get a chance to argue his case or answer questions over his short-lived bid to impose martial law.

Yonhap news agency says South Korean prosecutors have indicted the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his imposition of martial law.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court convened its first hearing on Tuesday to determine whether suspended President, Yoon Suk Yeol should be permanently removed from office following his controversial declaration of martial law last month.

South Korean prosecutors on Sunday indicted impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on rebellion in connection with his short-lived imposition of martial law, news reports said, a criminal charge that could put him to death or jail for life if convicted.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's term in office has been dogged by personal scandals, an unyielding opposition and rifts within his own party, and a rapid fall from grace over his short-lived declaration of martial law last month.