South Korea's suspended president attends impeachment hearing
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The suspended president made his first appearance at the Constitutional Court after the nation was thrown into political turmoil.
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Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives for his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, on January 21, 2025. (AP)
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made his first appearance at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, where judges are set to decide whether to remove him from office.
The nation was thrown into political turmoil following Yoon’s December 3 martial law declaration, which lasted just six hours before being overturned by lawmakers.
Subsequently, he was impeached, stripping him of his presidential duties. Yoon also became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested in connection with a criminal investigation into insurrection.
Hundreds of protesters, both supporting and opposing Yoon, gathered outside the Constitutional Court, where hearings are taking place to determine whether to uphold his impeachment.
Yoon, still recognized as South Korea’s official head of state, arrived at the building in a blue Justice Ministry van, as observed by AFP reporters. The suspended leader is expected to face questioning by the presiding judge, court spokesperson Cheon Jae-hyun confirmed to reporters.
Yoon in court
Yoon's legal representatives have requested to call "at least 24 individuals" as witnesses, including election-related officials, added Cheon.
He and his legal team have argued that his attempt to suspend civilian rule was a necessary step due to election fraud, claiming the opposition's landslide victory in last year’s parliamentary elections was illegitimate.
The lawyers prosecuting the case, appointed by parliament, told reporters before the hearing that "a swift impeachment trial and removal of the president is the most effective way to restore the rule of law."
Yoon did not attend the first two hearings last week, but the trial, which could last months, will continue even if he is absent. He has also refused to comply with separate questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), the agency leading the criminal investigation into his martial law declaration.
The CIO announced that despite attempts to compel his attendance, his continued refusal to cooperate has led them to abandon further efforts.
