South Korea's Yoon in court again for criminal trial

SEOUL, May 12 (AFP): South Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court Monday for another hearing in his criminal trial after filing past waiting journalists, as he defends himself against insurrection charges over his declaration of martial law.

Yoon was formally stripped of office last month after being impeached and suspended by lawmakers over his December 3 attempt to subvert civilian rule, which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament.

In January he became South Korea's first sitting head of state to be arrested, although he was later released on procedural grounds.

Yoon was ordered by the Seoul court to attend trial and has been stripped of his right to enter through the underground parking lot, meaning he had to go past a media scrum for the first time.

Dressed in a suit and red tie, Yoon walked past journalists without responding to any questions.

At previous hearings, the ex-president has spoken for more than 90 minutes, denying that he had committed insurrection.