South Korea president Yoon concerned about ‘fairness’ in impeachment trial: Video
South Korea's suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, appeared before the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, January 21, to address allegations linked to his declaration of martial law.
Yoon, facing an impeachment trial, promised full cooperation with the court as it deliberates whether to remove him from office.
Speaking to reporters, Yoon Kab-keun, spokesperson for Yoon’s legal team, stated, “The evidence submitted to us, and the president, who came out in person, also gave a greeting and answered questions to the judge. He told me that there are still many things that are regrettable about the fairness and neutrality issues.”
He added that Yoon’s team would thoroughly explain what they described as “deficiencies” in the constitutional reform process during the trial. “The poor part of the constitutional reform process will also be fully explained during the trial, and I think that some misunderstandings in that part will now be resolved,” he said.
During the session, Yoon denied allegations that he ordered military commanders to forcibly remove lawmakers from parliament on December 3, the night martial law was declared. Military commanders had previously claimed that Yoon issued the directive after lawmakers entered the parliament building by climbing fences and breaking barricades to overturn his martial law declaration.
“I am a person who has lived with a firm belief in liberal democracy,” Yoon said in his opening remarks, rejecting accusations that he masterminded an insurrection.
Under South Korean law, insurrection is a grave offence punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Yoon’s legal team has consistently denied such charges.
The impeachment decision lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court’s eight-member bench, with Yoon’s removal requiring at least six votes in favour of the motion. If upheld, a presidential election must be held within 60 days to choose his successor.
