President Yoon Suk Yeol was indicted Jan. 26 on rebellion charges, which carry a potential punishment of death or life in prison

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is in court for a hearing where his lawyers are contesting his arrest on a criminal charge alleging he was orchestrating a rebellion when he imposed martial law.

With Yoon in attendance as hearings opened Thursday, the courtroom was packed and there was heavy security around the building. The 64-year-old former prosecutor has been behind bars since he was arrested last month on charges of insurrection,