A leftist South Korean lawmaker on Tuesday denied charges of plotting an armed revolt in support of North Korea, calling himself the victim of a “witch hunt” by security authorities.
“I can say for certain that I’ve never plotted a rebellion,” United Progressive Party MP Lee Seok-ki said at the start of his sedition trial at a court in Suwon south of Seoul.
After parliament voted to lift his immunity from arrest, Lee was charged in September with planning an armed revolt in support of North Korea.
Last week the government petitioned the constitutional court to disband Lee’s party, which fielded a candidate in the presidential race last year.
The sedition charges levelled against Lee are rarely used, especially against a sitting member of parliament.
Six of his supporters also stood trial on similar charges.
Security was tight outside the court with riot police on guard as hundreds of conservative and liberal activists shouting slogans staged noisy rival rallies, according to Yonhap news agency.