Yoon Suk Yeol, the ousted president of South Korea, has rejected accusations of “insurrection” in his declaration of martial law during his concluding remarks at an impeachment hearing that may lead to his official removal from office.
“The opposition party asserts that I imposed martial law to create a dictatorship and prolong my tenure. This is a fabricated plot aimed at framing me for insurrection,” Mr. Yoon stated before Seoul’s Constitutional Court.
This session marks his final impeachment hearing as judges prepare to determine whether he will be formally dismissed from his position due to his controversial martial law declaration.
Mr. Yoon’s brief suspension of civilian governance in December last year threw democratic South Korea into political chaos, resulting in his removal from office by parliament in the same month.
His trial commenced last week.
After several tense impeachment hearings at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, today’s session will be Mr. Yoon’s last before the eight judges retreat to deliberate his future.
Outside the court, pro-Yoon demonstrators shouted, “Drop impeachment!”
Some protesters carried signs condemning the Chinese Communist Party and North Korea—entities that some of Mr. Yoon’s supporters have suggested, without evidence, were involved in recent South Korean elections to assist the opposition.
Other signs proclaimed “Stop the Steal,” reflecting US President Donald Trump’s unfounded allegations of voter fraud following his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.
Police were stationed at the main gate of the National Assembly in Seoul after the martial law declaration last year.
Mr. Yoon is anticipated to present a closing argument in his defense, while parliament representatives will be allotted time to argue for his removal.
A verdict is largely expected by mid-March.
Previous impeached presidents, Park Geun-hye and Roh Moo-hyun, waited 11 and 14 days, respectively, to learn their outcomes.
If Mr. Yoon is ousted, South Korea will have to organize a new presidential election within 60 days.
The core of Mr. Yoon’s impeachment trial revolves around allegations that he breached the constitution by declaring martial law, which is designated for national emergencies or wartime situations.
The opposition has charged the suspended president with enacting this extreme measure without adequate justification.
‘Legislative dictatorship’
Mr. Yoon’s attorney, Kim Hong-il, asserted last week that “the declaration of martial law was not meant to incapacitate the state.”
Rather, he claimed, it was intended to “warn the public about the national crisis created by the legislative dictatorship of the ruling opposition party, which had paralyzed the administration.”
Mr. Yoon’s legal team further argued that his declaration of martial law was crucial for investigating unfounded claims of electoral fraud from last year’s parliamentary elections.
A recent survey by polling firm Realmeter indicated that 52% of respondents favored Mr. Yoon’s official removal from office.
In contrast, a Gallup poll conducted last week revealed that 60% were in favor and 34% opposed his impeachment.
