The courtroom was packed as hearings opened on Thursday under heavy security. The 64-year-old has been behind bars since he was arrested last month on charges of insurrection, for which he could be sentenced to life in prison or face the death penalty.

Summary

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol became the country’s first sitting leader to stand trial on criminal charges after his impeachment and arrest for allegedly attempting to impose martial law.

Prosecutors accuse him of insurrection, which could carry a life sentence or the death penalty. His lawyers argue the charges lack legitimacy, claiming martial law was within his presidential authority.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is deliberating whether to formally remove him from office, with a decision expected within weeks.

If removed, new presidential elections must be held within 60 days.

    • samus12345@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      I’ll be watching the results this weekend and hoping you guys are smarter than we were!

      • DandomRude@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        Thank you, I hope so too. And you’re absolutely right: if not even the Germans have learned from their terrible history, then it probably won’t be any different anywhere else. Honestly, I’m ashamed of my fellow countrymen. We really should know better.

        • samus12345@lemm.eeEnglish
          3·
          2 days ago

          The bright side is you’ll always have Americans to look down on! No American can point to Germany’s past and claim any kind of superiority ever again.

          • DandomRude@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3·
            2 days ago

            Well, that’s the problem. Until a few years ago, it was unthinkable in Germany that Nazis would have any say in politics. That has changed with Trump and his minions. The rhetoric in the States has led to openly xenophobic slogans and the associated ideology becoming socially acceptable again. This is because Germany has been strongly oriented towards the US since the end of the Second World War. Unfortunately, your plutocrats have now discovered fascism for themselves, because it’s a way to make money (over dead bodies). I would never have thought it possible that Nazi ideology could become popular again in Germany. But unfortunately we are very much oriented towards the US. Nevertheless, it is all the worse that my compatriots do not remember, that they seem to have forgotten all the atrocities and crimes against humanity. One would think that we should have learned from all the suffering that happened not so long ago. We should know better, because we should know how absurd and immoral this despicable ideology is. But my fellow countrymen are unteachable, as I said, I am ashamed of them.

            • samus12345@lemm.eeEnglish
              2·
              2 days ago

              Yes, American influence has unfortunately infected the world with fascist tendencies. I think it’s a natural progression from unfettered capitalism. Our extreme greed was our downfall.

              • DandomRude@lemmy.worldEnglish
                2·
                2 days ago

                I think it’s not just the US, but the logic by which we determine who is particularly recognized in society. The fact that our leaders are not the best educated, or the creative and artistic, is not just the fault of US capitalism, I think - its triumph has only reinforced established tendencies, I’m afraid. Capitalism has produced a new aristocracy, just like before the French Revolution. But that is nothing new. Even in recent times that is not only the fault of the US-Capitalism, because this is also real in other systems. It seems to me to be a general human error that is consistent around the world. It may be conspiracy theorizing, but I believe that Trump is flirting with Putin because they have the same interests - power in society. I think the next few years will be about throwing off the yoke of oppression, no matter which system imposes it on you. Getting back what belongs to everyone, what everyone should be entitled to. The right to a life worth living. Capitalism just seems to have forgotten that, as have many other systems that claim to be the right one.

                • samus12345@lemm.eeEnglish
                  2·
                  2 days ago

                  That’s true, capitalism plays to the innate human tendency to want to acquire things and have power over others. But man, the US really turned it up to 11! I’m afraid that the grip of the oligarchs is too powerful to be overthrown by anything other than societal collapse, but I hope I’m wrong.