Yoon Suk Yeol in South Korea was charged with attempted self-defense

Separately, the Constitutional Court has begun deliberations on whether to officially dismiss Yoon as president or reinstate him.

The impeached president generally refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation regarding the declaration of martial law.

Yoon is set to stand trial alongside former defense ministers and senior military commanders, who are accused of helping him plan and execute efforts to seize total power.

In an unprecedented televised announcement on December 3, Yoon said he was exercising martial law to protect the country from “anti-state” forces sympathetic to North Korea.

At that time, the embattled leader was in deadlock over the budget bill, dogged by the corruption scandal and some of his cabinet ministers under investigation.

The military announced that all parliamentary activities were suspended and sought to impose controls on media outlets.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung urged people to protest in the National Assembly and asked his fellow lawmakers to immediately vote to repeal the order.

Less than two hours after Yoon’s declaration, the 190 assembled lawmakers – including some from the president’s party – voted unanimously to block it.

Soldiers equipped with rifles were seen entering the parliament building through broken windows as the dramatic confrontation unfolded.

Thousands of civilians gathered in front of the assembly and tried to stop the soldiers.

Yoon was impeached by parliament and suspended from his duties on December 14.

The relationship has sparked South Korea’s worst political crisis in decades and has polarized the country.

Many of his hardline supporters have rallied around him. On Friday, tens of thousands gathered to protest, demanding his release and return to office.

If Yoon is removed from office, a presidential election will be held within 60 days.

The prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.