The final arguments in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol began at 2 p.m. on the 25th at the Constitutional Court. It has been 84 days since President Yoon declared the emergency martial law on December 3, and 73 days since the impeachment motion was passed by the National Assembly and filed with the Court on December 14 last year. On this day, President Yoon is expected to make a final statement without time limits.
On this day, the Constitutional Court will conduct two-hour evidence examinations and opinions stated by both sides' representatives during the final arguments. Following that, Chairperson Jeong Cheong-rae of the Democratic Party (Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee) and President Yoon will provide their statements without time restrictions.
President Yoon did not appear in the Court at the start of the impeachment trial. However, it is reported that he will personally attend for the final opinion statement. This is the first time in constitutional history that a sitting president is directly present in their own impeachment trial to make a final opinion statement. Previously, late former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye did not appear in court during their impeachment trials, and representatives read statements written by the two.
President Yoon's side is expected to argue the legitimacy of the emergency martial law by citing the opposition's continuous impeachment efforts and legislative and budget abuses, as claimed during previous arguments. They are also likely to emphasize the holding of a Cabinet meeting before the martial law declaration and the peaceful nature of the martial law to argue its legality.