SEOUL: The legal team of South Korea’s impeached president argued on Thursday that Yoon Seok-yul did not rebel during the dramatic imposition of martial law this month.
Over the weekend, Yoon was removed from office by parliament in an impeachment vote following his short-lived declaration of martial law on December 3, plunging South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.
The Constitutional Court began proceedings against Yun on Monday and has about six months to decide whether to uphold his impeachment.
Yun is also being investigated by a joint team of police, Ministry of Defense and anti-corruption investigators.
“Where in the world does a leader announce a coup during a live press conference?” Yoon’s legal team spokesman Seok Dong-hyeon told a media briefing in Seoul.
Yun announced his martial law in a live televised announcement, though it was overruled by lawmakers several hours later.
“Where do you get a rebellion that ends in two or three hours because the National Assembly told them to suspend martial law?” Seok said.
South Korean lawmakers forced their way into parliament through lines of soldiers to reject Yun’s declaration of martial law.
Widespread protests against the ousted leader, along with smaller rallies in support of him, have since rocked the South Korean capital.
Yoon and some of his inner circle face possible life in prison, or even the death penalty, if convicted. He remains under a travel ban.
Seok said Yoon remained “clear and confident” about fighting his case in court.
Yoon failed to appear before South Korea’s anti-corruption watchdog on Wednesday when summoned for questioning, the Corruption Investigation Office said.
The Constitutional Court on Wednesday ordered Yun to produce his martial law decree as well as records of cabinet meetings he held before and after the announcement.
He has set a preliminary hearing for Dec. 27, although Yoon is not required to attend.