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.

Former president Yoon Suk Yeol's decision to enact martial law and send troops onto Seoul streets last year cost him his job. Now, ten days after being ousted from office over the debacle, he's appeared in court for the first time on rebellion charges. If convicted he could face a life sentence, or theoretically, the death penalty.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol moved back on Friday with his wife and their 11 dogs and cats to their apartment in an upscale district of Seoul, close to the prosecutors’ office where the impeached leader worked before entering politics.