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.

South Korea's Constitutional Court Friday upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, ousting him from office. The decision now starts a 60-day countdown where a presidential election must be held to select the next president.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law and had special forces storm the National Assembly, is removed from office.