Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday appeared in the first preliminary hearing of a criminal trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, News Agency Yonhap reports.

Mr Yoon, 64, declared martial law in a shock address to the nation on the evening of December 3, in what appeared to be an attempt to crack down on his political opponents.

The declaration was short-lived but plunged South Korea into political turmoil.

The now-suspended president had initially barricaded himself inside his Seoul compound as he evaded arrest and questioning.

He was eventually arrested in January.

Mr Yoon was being accused of trying to instigate sedition with his martial law declaration. Mr Yoon, if found guilty, would face a long prison sentence.

Yonhap reported that Thursday’s preliminary hearing in a Seoul court sought to clarify the main disputes of the case and plan future steps.

Mr Yoon’s lawyers said they would declare their stance regarding the charges later as they were still reviewing all the material regarding the case.

Mr Yoon’s legal representatives were expected to reject all charges as they have been doing in impeachment proceedings against Mr Yoon, which are ongoing.

The Seoul Central District Court said it would hold another preliminary hearing, Yonhap reported, adding that the court also began reviewing a request by Mr Yoon’s lawyers to cancel his arrest and release him.

The unicameral National Assembly voted for Mr Yoon’s impeachment on December 14.

That act suspended him from the presidency, but the Constitutional Court must now decide whether the impeachment should be upheld.

If Mr Yoon is formally ousted from office by the top court, it would pave the way for a snap presidential election. 

(dpa/NAN)