Protestors begin to gather at detention center ahead of impeachment trial

With President Yoon's impeachment trial resuming today, we turn to the Seoul Detention Center, where he is scheduled to depart for the Constitutional Court this afternoon.

And our Choi Min-jung is at the detention center.

Min-jung, how are things looking this morning?

Hi Dami, it's a freezing cold morning.

And perhaps,.. due to the weather, we are not seeing a big crowd of protestors here at the moment.

But those who are here, are hitting big drums and chanting loudly.

Choi Min-jung, Seoul Detention Center

But we are expecting to see more people gather, with Yoon, as you said, scheduled to go to the constitutional court for the impeachment trial later in the day.

We are currently seeing heavy security with the police officers and buses on site.

And Min-jung, along with the impeachment trial, President Yoon is also facing a criminal trial.

We learned yesterday the criminal trial will begin later this month, right?

That's right, Dami.

Legal sources have said Yoon's criminal trial will begin on February 20th, starting with a pretrial hearing.

He will not be required to be present at the pretrial hearing, as it is a step focused on reviewing key evidence and issues before the formal trial begins.

Yoon has been under a criminal probe on charges related to insurrection.

The president is accused of declaring an illegal state of emergency on December third last year, without war, armed conflict, or a major national crisis.

He is also suspected of deploying military troops to the National Assembly, to prevent lawmakers from rejecting the martial law declaration. Additionally, he is accused of planning the arrest of key political figures.

Yoon argues that declaring martial law was constitutional, and he lifted the order when it was voted down by the Assembly.

That's all for now, back to you Dami.

Thank you, Min-jung, for the report.

That was our Choi Min-jung reporting live from Seoul Detention Center.