South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing his final impeachment hearing today as judges prepare to decide whether he should be formally removed from office. The proceedings come in the wake of his controversial martial law declaration, which plunged the nation into political turmoil and led to his removal by parliament last December.
The hearing, held at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, began at 2:00 pm local time, although President Yoon was notably absent. His defense team referenced a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Donald Trump v. the United States, arguing that Yoon was simply exercising his core constitutional powers and should not be punished for doing so.
In a dramatic courtroom moment, opposition lawyer Lee Gum-gyu delivered an emotional plea, recounting how his son—a serving soldier—would have been forced into service under martial law, describing a deep sense of betrayal and personal loss. His passionate testimony underscored the intense public anger over Yoon’s actions.
Lawmakers from Yoon’s ruling People Power Party were present during the tense session, which was marred by heated exchanges, including an incident where PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong was heard swearing at an opposition lawyer. The atmosphere in the courtroom reflected the high stakes of the final deliberations.
Yoon’s legal team is expected to present a closing argument later in the day, while parliamentary representatives make the final case for his removal. With a verdict anticipated by mid-March, the decision will determine whether South Korea must hold a new presidential election within 60 days, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in the nation’s democratic transition.
