Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attends the first hearing of his second trial on martial law-related charges held at the Seoul Central District Court on September 26, 2025. Photo: CCTV News

 
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the first hearing of his second trial on martial law-related charges Friday, appearing in public for the first time since he was placed under arrest in July, Yonhap News Agency reported on Friday. 

The jailed former president was brought from Seoul Detention Center to the Seoul Central District Court ahead of the hearing, which began at 10:15 am, according to Yonhap. 
 
A report from the Chosun Daily noted that Yoon "had a short haircut with noticeable white hair and appeared gaunt from weight loss. Instead of a detention uniform, he wore a white dress shirt and a dark navy suit, without a necktie. A name tag with his detention number '3617' was attached to his left chest."
 
After the trial, a hearing to decide on the release of former President Yoon on bail will follow. During the bail hearing, Yoon's side is expected to emphasize the need for a non-custodial trial, citing reasons such as the guarantee of the right to defense and health issues. The special counsel team is likely to counterargue based on the severity of the crime and concerns about evidence destruction. The bail hearing will not be broadcast as it was not permitted by the court, according to the Chosun Daily. 
 
Yoon, who is already standing trial on charges of leading an insurrection through his failed attempt to impose martial law in December, will be tried additionally on charges of violating the rights of Cabinet members, revising the martial law proclamation and obstructing his detention by investigators in January. He also faces charges of ordering the deletion of call records and distribution of false statements, according to Yonhap. 

The last time Yoon appeared in public was July 9, when he attended an arrest warrant hearing. After the court issued the warrant, Yoon was incarcerated a second time, and he has since refused to attend his insurrection trial or comply with summonses by special counsel teams investigating his case, per Yonhap.