South Korean President Yoon Willing to Testify in Impeachment Trial

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is prepared to testify in court to defend against his impeachment, Bloomberg reports, citing his attorney.

This unprecedented move would make him the first South Korean president to personally appear in an impeachment trial.

Seok Dong-hyeon, Yoon’s lawyer, stated that the president is willing to appear in court if necessary to present his case. While expressing apology for the controversy surrounding his actions, Seok emphasized Yoon’s firm belief that his brief declaration of martial law on December 3rd did not constitute insurrection.

The impeachment motion, passed last week by the opposition-controlled National Assembly, condemned the martial law declaration as treasonous. The Constitutional Court is now reviewing the motion, a process that could extend until June.

The court’s composition is currently a point of contention. With only six judges currently seated, the opposition Democratic Party is actively pursuing the appointment of three additional justices. A minimum of six votes are required for the impeachment motion to succeed.

Yoon’s declaration of martial law, the first in over four decades, sparked widespread protests in Seoul. He retracted the order hours later after the National Assembly rejected it. Political pressure is mounting on the Constitutional Court justices to remove Yoon from office.