President Yoon Tells Court Of His 'Belief In Liberal Democracy'

SEOUL, Jan 21 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared for the first time at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, speaking of his long-held belief in "liberal democracy" and asking the bench to consider him favourably, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Yoon arrived at the court in a convoy escorted by the Presidential Security Service from the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, just south of the capital, where he has been held in custody since last Wednesday.

At 2 pm, he entered the courtroom, dressed in a suit and red tie, and sat waiting for the eight justices to arrive for the third hearing of the trial deliberating his impeachment over his Dec 3 declaration of martial law.

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"It's my first time attending today, so I will speak briefly," Yoon said while seated after asking acting court President Moon Hyung-bae for a chance to speak.

"Since coming of age, I have lived with a firm belief in liberal democracy until this very day, and especially during my time in public service," he said.

"As the Constitutional Court is an institution that exists to defend the Constitution, I ask the justices to consider me favourably in various respects,"

Yoon is the first president to attend his or her own impeachment trial as former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye were absent from theirs.

Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on Dec 14 and remains suspended from duty while an investigation is under way into charges he led an insurrection and abused his power through his declaration of martial law.

The Constitutional Court has 180 days from the day it received the case on Dec 14 to uphold the impeachment and remove him from office or dismiss the impeachment and reinstate him.

If Yoon is ousted, the country will be required to hold a snap presidential election within 60 days.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the court to show their support for the president, holding up signs that read "Impeachment Invalid."

Police surrounded the court's perimeter and beyond, and parked buses along sidewalks to prevent any violence among protesters.

One woman was apprehended after assaulting a police officer.

In a neighbourhood across the road from the court, 4,000 people attended a conservative rally in support of the president.

Yoon's appearance at the court was the first time he appeared in public since the day he imposed martial law.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP