South Korea: Yoon Appears at Impeachment Hearing

Synopsis

South Korea's detained President Yoon Suk Yeol attended his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, addressing charges related to his brief martial law declaration. His attendance marks a significant moment in South Korean politics as he is the first sitting president to face such a trial.

Key Takeaways

Yoon Suk Yeol is the first President to attend his own impeachment trial.
He is currently suspended while facing serious charges.
His martial law declaration has led to political instability.
Supporters gathered outside the court to show their backing for Yoon.
The Constitutional Court has a timeframe of 180 days to make a decision.

Seoul, Jan 21 (NationPress) Yoon Suk Yeol, the detained President of South Korea, made a notable appearance at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday to participate in a trial concerning his impeachment linked to his brief declaration of martial law.

Departing from the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, located just south of the capital, he was escorted by the Presidential Security Service and entered the court through an underground parking facility to avoid public visibility.

At 2 p.m., Yoon entered the courtroom attired in a suit for the third session of his trial, where he plans to defend his declaration of martial law made on December 3.

Remarkably, Yoon is the first President in South Korea to personally attend their own impeachment trial, as previous Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye were absent during theirs.

He faced impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14 and remains suspended from his duties as investigations continue regarding allegations of insurrection and misuse of power associated with the martial law declaration.

The Constitutional Court has a period of 180 days from the date it received the case on December 14 to either uphold the impeachment and remove him from office or dismiss the charges and reinstate him, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

Should Yoon be removed from office, a snap presidential election would be mandated within 60 days.

Outside the court, hundreds of supporters gathered, holding placards proclaiming, “Impeachment Invalid.”

In response, police secured the court's vicinity and stationed buses along the sidewalks to maintain order and prevent violence among demonstrators.

This marked Yoon's first public appearance since the martial law declaration.

Additionally, South Korea has entered a phase of political instability following Yoon's temporary martial law announcement on December 3, 2024, and his subsequent impeachment on December 14, 2024.