South Korea's President Yoon Faces 7th Impeachment Hearing Amid Martial Law Debate
In a tense courtroom drama unfolding in central Seoul, President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared for the seventh impeachment hearing held by South Korea's constitutional court on Tuesday. 🚨
Clad in his signature suit and red necktie, the arrested president made his fifth appearance at the courtroom around 10:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT). Yoon defended his actions during the controversial martial law declaration, asserting that he acted under the constitution's authority granted to the presidency.
Martial law, Yoon explained, is a measure reserved for \"a state of war, serious incidents, or other comparable national emergencies\" that could cause engagement with enemies or severely disrupt social order. However, opposition parties have slammed Yoon for allegedly imposing martial law without any clear indication of such an emergency at the time.
Yoon assured the justices that his declaration of martial law on the night of December 3 last year did not result in anyone being dragged out, arrested, or attacked by soldiers. Despite this, the opposition-led National Assembly swiftly lifted the martial law hours later. 📅
During the brief martial law period, dramatic scenes unfolded as military helicopters landed at the National Assembly and hundreds of armed special forces entered the building, as captured by TV footage.
In previous hearings, Colonel Kim Hyun-tae from the Army Special Warfare Command emphasized that the troops only acted in defense when engaged with citizens, feeling a sense of shame over the events. Yoon repeatedly maintained that he directed the defense minister and martial law commander to withdraw troops from sensitive areas, a claim disputed by Lieutenant General Kwak Jong-keun, who stated no such orders were given.
Former interior minister Lee Sang-min testified that Yoon did not order the suspension of power and utilities to left-leaning media outlets during the martial law period, contradicting the prosecution's indictment. 🧐
The upcoming eighth and final hearing is set for Thursday, though the constitutional court may add more dates. The impeachment motion, passed by the National Assembly on December 14 last year, has led to Yoon's suspension and subsequent arrest on January 15, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has been detained.
Accused of being a suspected ringleader of insurrection, Yoon faces charges of illegally declaring martial law and deploying armed forces into the National Assembly. As the nation watches closely, the final hearing promises to be a pivotal moment in South Korea's political landscape.
Reference(s):
S. Korea court holds 7th Yoon's impeachment hearing, with Yoon present
cgtn.com
