Seoul, February 6, 2025 — South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court on Tuesday as impeachment hearings continued to determine whether he will be permanently removed from office following his controversial declaration of martial law.

Yoon, a former prosecutor, was arrested in mid-January on insurrection charges after he plunged the country into political chaos by suspending civilian rule on December 3, 2024. His attempt to enforce martial law lasted only six hours before South Korea’s opposition-led parliament overturned the decree and subsequently impeached him.

The Constitutional Court is now set to decide whether to uphold the impeachment. If it does, South Korea will hold a presidential election within 60 days.

A convoy of black SUVs transported Yoon to the court in Seoul, where hearings began at 2:00 p.m. local time (0500 GMT). While Yoon has denied ordering military commanders to forcibly remove lawmakers to prevent them from voting on his decree, opposition MPs and former intelligence officials have testified to the contrary.

Testimony Contradicts Yoon’s Claims

Among those set to testify Tuesday were two former military commanders and Hong Jang-won, a former deputy director of the National Intelligence Service. Hong previously told lawmakers that he had received direct orders to arrest opposition politicians, contradicting Yoon’s claims of innocence.

Yoon, 64, remains in detention and faces separate criminal proceedings, with prosecutors labeling him the “ringleader of the insurrection.” Under South Korean law, insurrection is not covered by presidential immunity, meaning he could face significant jail time—or even the death penalty—if convicted.

As the court deliberates on whether to remove him permanently, South Korea finds itself in a historic political moment, with the country’s democratic institutions facing their biggest test in decades.