South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol has appeared for the first time at his criminal trial on high-stakes rebellion charges.

Seoul: Supporters and opponents of South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday gathered in front of the Seoul Central District Court in time for his arrival there to attend his first criminal trial related to his martial law declaration last year.

South Korea's ousted leader Yoon Suk Yeol argued that his brief martial law declaration late last year was "not a coup d’etat" as he appeared in court on Monday for the start of a criminal trial over charges that he led an insurrection.