South Korea: Yoon Suk Yeol to become first sitting president to go on criminal trial as hearings begin

<p>Former prosecutor has been in jail since January on charges of insurrection, for which he could be sentenced to life in prison or face the death penalty</p><p>Ousted South Korean president <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/yoon-suk-yeol">Yoon Suk Yeol</a> will become the first leader to stand trial in a criminal case as hearings open on Thursday over his bid to impose martial law.</p><p>The 64-year-old former prosecutor has been in prison since <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/14/south-koreas-yoon-suk-yeol-faces-fresh-arrest-attempt">he was arrested</a> in January on charges of insurrection, for which he could be sentenced to life in prison or face the death penalty if found guilty. Criminal proceedings begin on Thursday at Seoul’s central district court.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/20/south-korea-yoon-suk-yeol-criminal-trial-insurrection-charges">Continue reading...</a>