"I Never Said to Oust the Lawmaker" Four Statements Over 103 Minutes... Expressing Defense and Frustration (Comprehensive)

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At 1:58 PM on the 21st, in the Constitutional Court's grand bench courtroom, President Yoon Seok-yeol entered wearing a red necktie and a navy suit. President Yoon sat in the respondent's seat facing the right end of the 60 cm high judge's podium. He clasped his hands and looked around left and right. At exactly 2:00 PM, eight constitutional justices entered. When the bench greeted, President Yoon bowed his head. Around 2:03 PM, Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae granted President Yoon the opportunity to speak, and for the first time during his impeachment trial, he opened his mouth, asking Moon, "If you allow, should I stand up to speak? Or sit?"

From then until 3:43 PM, President Yoon spoke four times over a total of 1 hour and 43 minutes. Initially, he appeared somewhat tense, pursing his lips and raising one eyebrow while staring straight ahead without expression. Except when leaning toward lawyer Cha Ki-hwan to whisper, he kept his lips tightly pressed in a straight line and maintained a stern expression. However, when given four chances to speak?respondent's statement, questioning by Acting Chief Justice Moon, closing remarks, and expressing opinions on video evidence?he actively expressed his views while making eye contact with Moon. He frequently used his characteristic gesture of spreading one palm to emphasize points.

President Yoon particularly responded "No" when Acting Chief Justice Moon asked, "Have you ever given a note regarding budget allocation for the national emergency organization legislation?" and "No" when asked, "Have you ever told lawmakers to pull them out to resolve the lifting of martial law?" Regarding video evidence presented by the National Assembly's prosecution team alleging attempts to block the lifting of martial law, he stated, "The National Assembly and the media are stronger than the president," adding, "Blocking the lifting of martial law is an unmanageable matter." When the petitioners suggested installing a partition during witness questioning of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others, fearing President Yoon's presence might influence the proceedings, he firmly expressed his position, saying, "I am under suspension from duty, so I cannot exert influence." He also emphasized, "The person who knows this case best is the respondent, the president myself."

President Yoon Seok-yeol Makes First Public Appearance Since Martial Law Incident
President Yoon Seok-yeol is seated in the respondent's seat attending the third impeachment trial held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 21st. January 21, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

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Meanwhile, when given time to state his opinion on the grounds for impeachment, President Yoon said, "I am sorry to trouble the justices who are already burdened with various constitutional lawsuits with my impeachment case. Since I became an adult, I have firmly held the belief in liberal democracy." He added, "Since the Constitutional Court exists to uphold the Constitution, I ask you to carefully consider this case."

At around 3:43 PM, when the grand bench adjourned, President Yoon approached lawyer Cho Dae-hyun, who was seated behind the respondent's seat, patted his back in encouragement, and exited the grand courtroom at 3:44 PM. Although President Yoon was detained on the 17th and had appeared in a recorded video released shortly after his arrest on the 15th, this was his first official public appearance in 6 days and the first time in 49 days since the martial law declaration. This marks the first time in constitutional history that a sitting president impeached has appeared in person before the Constitutional Court.

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