Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol defended himself during his first criminal trial on insurrection charges Monday, asserting that his attempt to impose martial law in December did not constitute an insurrection.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon arrived at the Seoul Central District Court in a black security vehicle, entering via the underground parking to minimize public exposure. The hearing commenced shortly before 10 a.m., with Yoon seated in the defendant's seat wearing a navy suit. Photography and filming by the press were prohibited under a court order.

Yoon, previously a top prosecutor, faces charges of leading an insurrection through the brief imposition of martial law on December 3, which involved deploying troops to the National Assembly in an alleged effort to prevent lawmakers from voting down the decree. He was impeached by the National Assembly days later and removed from office on April 4 after the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld his impeachment.

During the trial, Yoon stated, "The indictment simply lists the details of the investigation into what happened during the several hours between 10:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 2 to 3 a.m." He argued that it contradicts legal principles to construct an insurrection case based on an indictment resembling a printout of a brief incident, which was lifted nonviolently upon accepting the National Assembly's demand.

The prosecution, however, maintained that Yoon's views on state affairs and preparations leading up to the martial law declaration indicated an intention to "start a riot" and "subvert the Constitution." Insurrection carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death.

Following his ouster, Yoon relocated from the official presidential residence in Seoul's Hannam-dong to his private residence, a 10-minute walk from the court. During Monday's hearing, two military officers are expected to be questioned as witnesses.