Seoul: A Seoul court has turned down former President Yoon Suk Yeol's plea for bail, citing potential risks of evidence tampering. The decision by the Seoul Central District Court comes after Yoon filed for bail last month, claiming his right to self-defense and health-related issues as grounds for his release.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the court expressed worries that Yoon might destroy evidence, which led to the denial of his bail request. Yoon has been detained since July when special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team arrested him a second time over charges linked to an unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law in December.

During his bail hearing last week, Yoon argued for 18 minutes, stating that his detention hampers his ability to attend trials and respond to investigators' questions adequately. However, the special counsel team opposed his release, highlighting the risks of evidence destruction and potential political repercussions on their ongoing investigation and Yoon's trials.

Yoon is currently facing trial for allegedly orchestrating an insurrection through his failed martial law bid. Additionally, he faces charges of violating the rights of Cabinet members, altering the martial law proclamation, and hindering his detention by investigators in January.