South Korea’s ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol defended his brief martial law declaration in court, denying charges of leading an insurrection and insisting it was not a coup.

The six-hour declaration in December triggered mass protests, political chaos, and ultimately his removal from office by the Constitutional Court.

Prosecutors accused Yoon of trying to paralyze state institutions, while military witnesses testified they were ordered to forcibly remove lawmakers—an allegation Yoon denied.

Facing potential life imprisonment or death, Yoon remains defiant, Reuters has reported.

A snap election is set for June 3, with opposition leader Lee Jae-myung leading the polls.

Written by B.C. Begley