South Korea’s ousted president, Yoon Suk Yeol, on Friday rejected all charges in his second trial over martial law-related allegations, marking his first public appearance in 85 days since his July arrest, Yonhap News reported.
Earlier, Yoon was escorted from the Seoul Detention Center to the Seoul Central District Court wearing a dark navy suit without a tie, his inmate number, “3617,” displayed on his chest, and appeared noticeably thinner.
His lawyers argued that Yoon had declared martial law during an emergency and lifted it once the National Assembly voted for its repeal. Yoon also defended himself against accusations of issuing a false proclamation, which investigators say was drafted after the decree’s repeal in an attempt to justify his actions, though it was later discarded.
“I scolded (former presidential secretary) Kang Eui-gu, but he said he would just hold on to it,” Yoon said, referring to his former secretary.
Already on trial for leading an insurrection through a failed martial law attempt last December, Yoon now faces additional charges of violating the rights of Cabinet members, revising the martial law proclamation, and obstructing investigators in January.
