According to Yonhap news agency, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared for the first time at the impeachment trial held at the Constitutional Court.
This is the first time a sitting South Korean president has appeared in person at his impeachment trial.
Speaking before the Constitutional Court judges, Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol called on the judges to consider his case impartially and in good faith.
The impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol was initiated after he declared martial law on December 3, 2024. The South Korean National Assembly approved his impeachment on December 14, suspending him from office while authorities investigate allegations that he led an uprising and abused his power by imposing martial law.
This is the third impeachment trial related to the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Constitutional Court will have 180 days from the date of acceptance of the case (December 14) to decide whether to uphold the impeachment and remove him from office, or reject the impeachment and restore him to office.
If President Yoon Suk Yeol is removed from office, a presidential election will be held within 60 days.
President Yoon Suk-yeol's appearance at the court on January 21 was also his first public appearance since declaring martial law. Outside the court, about 4,000 people participated in a rally in support of President Yoon Suk-yeol in the nearby area. Police were deployed around the court to prevent violence from the protests.