South Korea President denies ordering arrest of lawmakers amid impeachment trial

South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has denied accusations that he ordered the arrest of lawmakers during his attempt to impose martial law during his first appearance at his impeachment trial on Tuesday.

Recall that parliament voted to impeach Yoon last month and the constitutional court began hearings last week to decide whether to permanently remove him from office.

Yoon also faces a separate criminal investigation into allegations that he led an insurrection.

Yoon has been detained since last week. Tight security surrounded his transport from the detention center to the constitutional court, where police erected anti-riot barricades and formed human walls to keep back hundreds of his supporters.

During the hearing, Yoon was questioned about allegations that he ordered military commanders to “drag out” lawmakers from parliament on December 3, the night he declared martial law, to prevent them from overturning his directive.

Yoon denied the claim, stating: “I am a person who has lived with a firm belief in liberal democracy. As the constitutional court exists to safeguard the constitution, I ask that you thoroughly examine all aspects of this case.”

Military commanders had alleged Yoon gave the order after lawmakers climbed fences and broke barricades to enter the parliament building and vote down his martial law declaration.

Yoon’s lawyers argued the martial law order was merely “a formality that was not meant to be executed.”

Yoon had cited threats from “anti-state forces” and North Korea to justify the declaration. However, prosecutors argued the move was driven by domestic political troubles rather than external threats.

Yoon’s impeachment trial has further divided South Korea, with protests erupting across the country.

Outside the courtroom, hundreds of his supporters waved South Korean and U.S. flags, some donning hats with slogans like “Make Korea Free Again.”

Many supporters defended Yoon’s martial law declaration, claiming it was an attempt to protect South Korea’s democracy.

“This is a conflict between people who pursue communism and people who pursue democracy,” said Wongeun Seong, a 49-year-old businessman at the protest.

Tensions have escalated, with some protesters calling for the execution of opposition party leader Lee Jae Myung and the investigator leading the criminal case against Yoon.

Former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, who allegedly suggested the martial law declaration to Yoon, is set to testify on Thursday.

If six out of the eight constitutional court judges vote to uphold the impeachment, Yoon will be permanently removed from office, triggering a presidential election within 60 days.

The ongoing political crisis has rattled South Korea’s economy, weakening the won and prompting warnings from global credit rating agencies about declining consumer and business confidence.