"At a late-night hearing on Tuesday, South Korean special prosecutors called for the death penalty for former president Yoon Suk Yeol. The 65-year-old is accused of instigating an insurrection following his short-lived attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. Footage shows protesters gathered outside the court as police monitor. Later, a convoy bus can be seen leaving the premises. Appearing before the Seoul Central District Court, Mr Yoon - who was formally removed from office last April - faces a series of criminal charges linked to the failed military decree and a number of scandals that marked his presidency. The most serious allegation is that he led a rebellion. The former leader has consistently denied the charges. He argues that his actions fell within his constitutional authority as head of state, saying the declaration was a necessary step to draw attention to what he described as systematic obstruction of government business by opposition forces. The decree, which was in force for just six hours in 2024, triggered widespread upheaval across South Korea. As Asia’s fourth-largest economy and a key security ally of the United States, the country has long been regarded as one of the region’s most resilient democracies. A final judgment is expected next month, with the court expected to deliver its verdict in February."