South Korean President Yoon faces trial over martial law decree

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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