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| ▲ President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers an address to the nation from the presidential residence in Seoul on Dec. 14, 2024, after the National Assembly voted to impeach him over his failed martial law bid on Dec. 3, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer on President Yoon Suk Yeol's legal defense team (Yonhap) |
(2nd LD) Yoon-defense team
(2nd LD) Legal defense team for impeached Yoon denies insurrection charges
(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 9-10, 14)
By Lee Haye-ah
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- A legal defense team for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday that Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law did not amount to the charges of insurrection and the president will state his position in court if a public hearing is held in his impeachment trial.
Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer on the team, told reporters Yoon denies the charges of insurrection leveled against him for declaring martial law on Dec. 3.
A trial is about to begin at the Constitutional Court to decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him from office after the National Assembly voted Saturday to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Yoon is currently suspended from his duties.
"President Yoon will state his position in court confidently and according to his own convictions," Seok said.
"The president is not giving a single thought to the insurrection charges as a legal concept, but realistically, since investigation agencies are acting this way, there will be a response to the investigation," he added.
Yoon faces parallel investigations by the prosecution and a team consisting of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the defense ministry's investigation unit.
Seok said the legal defense team plans to divide its work into three areas -- handling investigations, the impeachment trial and other trials.
"The criteria for an insurrection are not met," he said, arguing Yoon's imposition of martial law was not aimed at taking over the government nor were there elements of a riot.
Seok acknowledged that Yoon's martial law declaration came as a "shock" to South Koreans but rejected the accusations of an insurrection, blaming the opposition of "exaggerating" the episode.
"Subjectively, I feel that fanatic investigations are currently taking place," he said, while emphasizing the importance of following due process.
Seok said two separate legal defense teams will be formed to each handle the investigations and the impeachment trial.
Yoon has been summoned to appear for questioning by the CIO on Wednesday and by the prosecution by Saturday.
Seok said Yoon does not plan to appear before the CIO on Wednesday, but declined to say regarding his appearance before the prosecution.
Kim Hong-il, former head of the Korea Communications Commission, and Yun Gap-geun, former chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors Office, are among the members of Yoon's legal team.
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