South Korea is witnessing a pivotal moment as the constitutional court conducts the fourth hearing in President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial. This marks the second time the arrested president has appeared in court, following his initial in-person testimony during the third hearing on Tuesday.
During Thursday's session, President Yoon addressed allegations surrounding his decision to impose martial law. He asserted that the imposition was not a failure but was concluded earlier than anticipated. Yoon emphasized that he promptly ordered the withdrawal of martial law troops from the National Assembly building once the parliament repealed the martial law.
Contrasting Yoon's defense, the former deputy chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) provided a different account. The ex-deputy claimed that Yoon instructed him via phone shortly after declaring martial law to have politicians, including leaders from the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party, "rounded up and removed."
Further detailing the situation, Yoon reportedly urged military commanders to deploy martial law troops into the National Assembly chamber where lawmakers were convening to lift the martial law, using phrases like \"firing guns\" and \"using axes\" to breach the door, according to multiple media sources citing the prosecution's indictment.
The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on December 14 last year and subsequently delivered to the constitutional court for deliberation over a period of up to 180 days. During this time, Yoon's presidential powers remain suspended.
Yoon, identified by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader in an insurrection, declared martial law on the night of December 3 last year. The National Assembly revoked this declaration hours later amidst intense political turmoil, with military helicopters and armed special forces entering the parliamentary building.
In this latest hearing, President Yoon questioned Kim Yong-hyun, the arrested former defense minister, suggesting that the number of special forces troops in the main building was minimal. Kim responded by stating that approximately 280 special forces troops were present throughout the building.
Following the conclusion of the hearing, Yoon was returned to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, located about 30 kilometers south of the court. Upcoming hearings are scheduled for February 4, 6, 11, and 13.
On January 19, a Seoul court granted a warrant to extend Yoon's detention for up to 20 days, making him South Korea's first sitting president to be formally arrested. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has referred Yoon's case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, calling for his indictment on insurrection and other charges, which is expected around February 5.
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S. Korea's court holds 4th hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial
cgtn.com
