South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, made his first appearance at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, vowing to cooperate with judges deciding whether to permanently remove him from office.
His impeachment trial has sparked nationwide protests, with supporters and critics clashing outside the court.
Recall that Yoon was impeached after his controversial December 3 martial law declaration, which lasted just six hours before being overturned by lawmakers.
He later became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested on charges of insurrection.
During the hearing, Yoon denied ordering military commanders to interfere with lawmakers’ votes against his martial law decree.
“No,” he stated when questioned about the claims.
His legal team argued the declaration was necessary due to alleged election fraud, but prosecutors dismissed their defence as unclear and contradictory.
If the court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, he will lose the presidency, triggering new elections within 60 days.
Legal experts warn that Yoon’s refusal to cooperate with a separate criminal investigation into his martial law decision could hurt his case.
Pro-Yoon protests have intensified since his detention was extended, with hundreds of supporters recently clashing with police outside a court hearing.
While some believe Yoon’s court appearances aim to rally his loyal base, analysts argue his defiance of legal procedures could backfire.
The impeachment trial is expected to continue for months, leaving South Korea in political turmoil as the nation awaits the court’s final decision.
