Yoon Suk Yeol
Yoon Suk Yeol

Yoon Suk Yeol Denies Martial Law Intentions During Impeachment Trial, Defends Actions as Symbolic

On Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the Constitutional Court hearing for his impeachment trial, facing charges related to his attempted imposition of martial law in December 2022. Yoon denied allegations that he ordered military commanders to forcibly remove lawmakers from parliament during his short-lived martial law attempt.

Dressed in a navy-colored suit with a burgundy tie, he expressed his dedication to democracy and pledged to cooperate fully with the court. This trial is a result of his actions, which included a failed martial law declaration that was overturned by parliament within hours.

Yoon’s Defense: No Intent to Enforce Martial Law

In his testimony, President Yoon denied the assertion that the special forces sent to parliament in December 2022 were there to prevent parliamentary actions or enforce martial law. Yoon explained that he recognized such a move would create a national crisis and emphasized that parliament and media hold greater power than the presidency in South Korea.

He argued that the purpose of declaring martial law was not to impose it but to signal alarm about what he considered the harmful actions of the opposition, particularly the Democratic Party, which he accused of paralyzing the government.

Yoon Suk Yeol
Yoon Suk Yeol

Yoon’s legal team defended the martial law decree as a symbolic measure rather than a real action meant for enforcement. His lawyers contended that the decree was intended to demonstrate concern over the Democratic Party’s actions, which they believed were threatening the country’s democratic order.

They also disputed testimony from military commanders who claimed Yoon had ordered arrests of lawmakers critical of him, arguing that such measures were not part of his plan. According to Yoon’s defense, the martial law declaration was meant to show the government’s alarm over the opposition’s behavior, not to take action against it.

Opposition’s Case: Martial Law Decree Unjustified

The impeachment motion, led by the opposition Democratic Party and supported by 12 members of Yoon’s own People Power Party, accused Yoon of violating his constitutional duties. The parliament’s legal team presented testimonies and video evidence, including military helicopters landing near the parliament and special forces entering the building.

They also questioned Yoon’s justification for martial law, criticizing his unproven claims of election irregularities and warning that such unfounded allegations could undermine national unity. The evidence presented aimed to prove that Yoon’s martial law decree had no legitimate grounds.

Tensions surrounding Yoon’s impeachment trial were marked by heightened security, especially after violent protests by his supporters outside a district court earlier in the week. Yoon was transported to the Constitutional Court in a correctional service vehicle, escorted by a Presidential Security Service motorcade.

While Yoon attended the hearing, he has consistently resisted other legal proceedings, including refusing to attend interrogations. The Constitutional Court now has up to 180 days to decide whether Yoon will be permanently removed from office or reinstated, leaving the outcome of his political career uncertain.