Former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court for his insurrection trial for the first time in about four months on Thursday.  

Yoon's appearance at the Seoul Central District Court came after the former president had previously failed to appear 16 times in a row.

The court said Yoon would bear any disadvantages brought on by his absence from previous proceedings and that the same principle would apply to any future absences. 

Former Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-keun will take the stand as a witness on Thursday. 

Kwak has previously testified at the National Assembly and Yoon's impeachment trial that Yoon had called him on a secure phone on the night of martial law and ordered him to break down the door of the National Assembly and drag lawmakers out.