South Korea's opposition on Tuesday urged the country's Constitutional Court to formally remove ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his declaration of martial law, warning that "countless" people could have died had it succeeded.

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.

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol remained determined to hold on to his job as judges looked to wrap up a trial on whether to permanently remove him from office for his short-lived martial law declaration.