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.

Yoon Suk Yeol called South Korea's National Assembly a “den of criminals” when he announced martial law in December.

Hong Joon-pyo, the ex-mayor of the South Korean city of Daegu, announced his bid for the presidency on Monday. South Korea will hold a presidential election on June 3, after former president Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment stemming from a December martial law declaration was upheld on April 4.