South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his decision to impose martial law in December, as a top military commander testified in court on Tuesday. The Constitutional Court is reviewing Yoon’s impeachment, which could permanently remove him from office.
🔹 Court Proceedings Begin
President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared before the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, where he denied allegations of abuse of power over his December 3 martial law declaration. The court is reviewing his impeachment, with a final decision determining whether he will be permanently removed from office or reinstated.
🔹 Military Testimony Raises Concerns
Army Lieutenant General Lee Jin-woo, who commanded the Army Capital Defence Command, testified that he believed the martial law order was legitimate but declined to confirm whether Yoon had ordered the removal of lawmakers from parliament.
"I considered it an order," Lee told the court, adding that he trusted Yoon’s legal expertise as a former top prosecutor.
Yeo In-hyung, former head of the defence counterintelligence command, said he opposed martial law but complied with Yoon’s decision. He refused to confirm whether a list of politicians to arrest existed.
🔹 Allegations of Political Crackdown
Prosecutors accuse Yoon of attempting to arrest lawmakers and suppress media critical of his administration.
Hong Jang-won, former deputy chief of the National Intelligence Service, testified that Yoon ordered him to “catch them all and clean up everything.”
Hong claimed he received a list of politicians to arrest from military officials.
A copy of the indictment reviewed by Reuters alleges Yoon also instructed the safety minister to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of his leadership.
🔹 Yoon’s Defense
Yoon dismissed allegations of wrongdoing, telling the court that debating specific orders was irrelevant since “nothing actually happened.” He also denied Hong’s testimony outright.
🔹 What Happens Next?
The Constitutional Court will decide whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment. If removed, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days. Meanwhile, Yoon remains in detention facing separate criminal charges of insurrection.
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China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
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President Donald Trump’s approval rating has slipped to its lowest level since returning to the White House, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, reflecting growing concern among Americans over his expanding authority and controversial actions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon are set to announce a new phase of defence and security cooperation between their countries during a meeting on Tuesday, according to a statement from Starmer's office.
In an unprecedented twist to U.S. immigration enforcement, hundreds of migrants, mostly Venezuelans, are being held in one of the world’s most notorious mega-prisons. It’s not in Texas or Arizona, but 70 kilometres east of San Salvador, under the iron grip of Nayib Bukele’s security state.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
A mass overnight drone attack by Russian forces struck residential areas of Ukraine’s southern port city of Odesa, setting homes ablaze and damaging buildings in a densely populated neighbourhood, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has slipped to its lowest level since returning to the White House, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, reflecting growing concern among Americans over his expanding authority and controversial actions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon are set to announce a new phase of defence and security cooperation between their countries during a meeting on Tuesday, according to a statement from Starmer's office.
In an unprecedented twist to U.S. immigration enforcement, hundreds of migrants, mostly Venezuelans, are being held in one of the world’s most notorious mega-prisons. It’s not in Texas or Arizona, but 70 kilometres east of San Salvador, under the iron grip of Nayib Bukele’s security state.
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