President Yoon Suk-yeol is preparing the final arguments for his impeachment trial under extreme confidentiality, with plans to deliver a public address-level final argument to explain the necessity of declaring martial law. He is reportedly reviewing messages for both possible outcomes of the impeachment trial, though it remains uncertain if he will make a public statement.
For the first time in constitutional history, President Yoon will personally deliver his opinion during the final arguments, which is expected to last around an hour. He will focus on the background for declaring martial law and highlight the current crisis Korea faces, along with his vision for the country’s future.
According to multiple sources on the 23rd, President Yoon aims to convincingly convey the broader reasons for proclaiming martial law, rather than addressing detailed testimonies from the trial. Despite controversies surrounding certain figures and claims that have fueled the impeachment process, Yoon intends to emphasize why he had to declare martial law as president.
During the weekend, Yoon’s legal team met him at the Seoul Detention Center to discuss defense strategies. It is speculated that he might address the influence of North Korea and China on South Korean society while avoiding any confrontations with the constitutional judges accused of biased proceedings.
In a previous public address held at the presidential office last December, just before the National Assembly voted on the impeachment motion, President Yoon highlighted the opposition Democratic Party’s actions as threats to national security, citing legislative and budgetary misconduct and obstruction of state affairs.
It remains under consideration whether President Yoon will issue a statement following the Constitutional Court’s ruling. Should the impeachment be upheld, he is expected to appeal for efforts towards regaining the ruling party’s mandate. If the impeachment is dismissed, he might propose a vision emphasizing generational and national unity to reinforce the liberal democratic system.