Quotes
The decree was intended simply to establish the format of martial law and never intended to be executed, nor was it possible to execute it because of the potential for conflict with higher-level laws,
lawyer Cha Gi-hwan told the court
In South Korea’s current national chaos, the conspiracy theory of election fraud can destroy our community itself,
said the lawyerIn this country, parliament and news media are far more powerful than the president, in a far superior position,
he told the courtKim prepared the draft based on previous examples from when military regimes granted the president the authority to dissolve the National Assembly. Yoon modified it, particularly removing the public's curfew provision,
the defense said
The decree was made only to meet formality, and there was no specific intent to implement it and no concrete plan for its execution, and no organizational structure established to carry it out,
Yoon's legal representatives saidI feel deeply apologetic to the justices for the burden caused by my impeachment case,
the president saidIf I had obstructed (the vote), I think I wouldn’t have been able to handle the consequences,
Yoon told acting Constitutional Court Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae
If they continue to evade responsibility as they did today, it will only work against them in the impeachment trial and cause even greater disappointment among the public,
they said on Tuesday
Since coming of age, I have lived with a firm belief in liberal democracy until this very day, and especially during my time in public service,
Yoon, wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, told the court, according to the Yonhap news agency
Whether it's the legal representative speaking or Yoon himself speaking it's nearly the same, it's more about riling public opinion,
Kim told AFP
I will respond to any questions or provide further remarks if necessary,
Yoon told the judge
As the Constitutional Court is an institution that exists to defend the Constitution, I ask the justices to consider me favorably in various respects,
said Yoon, who is the first president to attend the court hearing in person
The President will appear at the Constitutional Court tomorrow,
his lawyer Yoon Kab-keun said in a statement
Refusing to comply with the warrant execution and declining to testify will gradually be considered as factors unfavorable to his case in the impeachment trial,
said Kim