South Korea’s impeached President Yoon denies wrongdoing at trial

SEOUL - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol denied wrongdoing as he branded himself a firm believer in free democracy during his

first appearance

in an impeachment trial on Jan 21 looking into his shocking and brief imposition of martial law in December.

Mr Yoon arrived at the Constitutional Court in Seoul at the third hearing in a convoy, escorted by his security team. Police blocked nearly every alley leading to the courthouse to ensure protesters remained far away following the Capitol Hill-like rioting that took place in Seoul at the weekend.

“Since I grew up, I have lived with a firm belief in free democracy, especially during my tenure in public life,” Mr Yoon said. “As this is an organisation that exists to protect the Constitution, I hope the justices will take good care of it.” 

During the

brief imposition of martial law

in early December, Mr Yoon banned all political activity. Lawmakers defied the order and overturned the decree at the National Assembly within hours of its declaration, then impeached him less than two weeks later.

Clad in a navy suit with a red tie, Mr Yoon engaged with his legal team throughout the hearing that lasted less than two hours as he at times stopped his lawyer to speak in defence of his actions and against the push to remove him from office.  

The impeached leader disputed testimonies made by his military commanders that he ordered troops to remove lawmakers gathered at the Parliament to vote on scrapping the martial law. He also denied he gave a memo to his Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, now serving as the country’s acting leader, ordering a budget plan to establish an emergency legislative body.

“I did not deliver such a thing. I only learnt of it through media reports long after lifting the martial law,” Mr Yoon said, referring to the memo.

Mr Yoon was impeached by Parliament on Dec 14 and the court now has six months to decide whether to permanently remove him from office. If the trial lasts around the same time as the earlier impeachment of president Park Geun-hye, the decision should come in the first half of March.

To keep the peace outside the courthouse, police deployed some 4,000 officers, Yonhap News said. Around a hundred of his supporters turned violent and stormed the Seoul Western District Court after Mr Yoon’s appearance there on Jan 18, entering the rooms of judges and smashing fittings and fixture before around 40 of them were arrested. The court estimated the damage caused at up to 700 million won (S$660,000).

Mr Yoon was arrested last week after repeatedly defying investigators’ summons for questioning. The probe team is still struggling to get answers from the President as he refuses to sit down with them.

The President has taken issue with the validity of the probe launched by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and said the martial law declaration was within his constitutional powers. 

If convicted of insurrection, Mr Yoon could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. There is also the remote possibility of the death penalty.

The impeachment case is being reviewed by eight judges. Under South Korea’s Constitution, at least six justices must approve Mr Yoon’s removal from office. If the court decides the impeachment motion is legal and valid, Mr Yoon will be removed from office, triggering presidential polls within 60 days.

“I myself as the President know the most about this case,” Mr Yoon said. “I will speak if necessary or if you have any questions.”

Mr Yoon is South Korea’s first president to appear at an impeachment hearing. His predecessors Park and Roh Moo-hyun did not appear at their hearings. BLOOMBERG