The impeached President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, has declared his intention to present his position in court if public hearings are held regarding his impeachment. This announcement comes as Yoon’s defense counsel indicated that he will confidently express himself before the constitutional court when hearings commence, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday.
The constitutional court is scheduled to hold the first preliminary hearing on the impeachment proceedings on December 27. Yoon’s willingness to appear signifies his determination to challenge the charges leveled against him.
Yoon faces allegations of rebellion following his imposition of martial law on December 3, an action that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later. Despite the gravity of the charges, Yoon remains unperturbed from a legal standpoint, as stated by his defense counsel, who emphasized that they are prepared to address the ongoing criminal investigations.
In a televised address on December 12, Yoon justified his declaration of martial law as an “act of governance” intended to guard against what he described as the “legislative dictatorship” of the majority opposition. His defense team has been organized separately to tackle both the criminal investigation and the impeachment trial.
Uncertainty remains regarding Yoon’s potential appearance at the prosecutors’ office for questioning scheduled on December 21. His counsel indicated that a decision will be announced within a few days, highlighting the complexities surrounding the legal process.
The second motion to impeach Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on December 14 and subsequently delivered to the constitutional court. The court will deliberate on the matter for up to 180 days, during which Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended.
As the constitutional court prepares for the upcoming hearings, the nation awaits clarity on the political future of Yoon Suk-yeol. His anticipated appearance in court underscores a pivotal moment in the Republic of Korea’s governance and legal proceedings.
Reference(s):
S. Korean president to express position in court if hearings are held
cgtn.com
