The trial at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul began at 10:15 a.m., with charges including abuse of power and obstruction of official duties related to the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law.
Noticeably thinner and frail with gray hair, Yoon appeared in court wearing a navy suit without a tie.
During the trial, Yoon's legal representative reportedly denied all the allegations, reiterating what Yoon has been claiming. They said, "Yoon declared martial law to cope with an emergency situation and later lifted it, shortly after the National Assembly voted to end it."
Media were permitted to film for about a minute before the trial began, making it the first time a lower court criminal trial, not just a verdict, was televised.
Later in the day, another hearing for his bail was also held upon his request, which drew criticism from those who suspect that Yoon's decision to appear at Friday's hearing was a calculated tactic to attend only hearings that serve his own interests.
In his court-permitted defense which lasted about 20 minutes, Yoon said that being detained at a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, makes it difficult for him to sufficiently prepare for ongoing investigations by independent prosecutors and related trials.
He added that his prolonged detention may be "unconstitutional since he is not a violent criminal," and complained about his life in a tiny cell.
Regarding his health, Yoon said, "Despite not being in a critical condition, attending every hearing is quite demanding," promising that he will fully cooperate with future hearings and proceedings if granted bail.
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