South Korea: Yoon “did not intend complete martial law”, says lawyer

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s lawyer declared on Thursday (22) that Yoon’s imposition of martial law in December was planned as a “correction” and not “complete martial law”. The statement came amid a hearing in the impeachment trial of the president, who is away.

The Constitutional Court began its trial on December 27 to review allegations that Yoon violated his constitutional duty by imposing martial law without justification. The central point of Yoon’s defense is that he never intended to start a military government, and that he used the decree only to break the political impasse.

“[Yoon] declared martial law in the process of correcting the government and subverting the national constitution”, said the lawyer. “So, the decree was made as a formality, he didn’t think it through. That’s how I understand it. He did not intend complete martial law.”

Kim Yong-hyun, Yoon’s former defense minister and also accused of insurrection for his role in the brief martial law, testified before the country’s court, which is deciding whether to reinstate or completely remove Yoon from power following his ouster on Jan. 14. December.

Earlier on Thursday, South Korea’s anti-corruption agency transferred its case to prosecutors, recommending that they indict Yoon for sedition and abuse of power. The president’s lawyer added that they have not yet decided whether they will cooperate with prosecutors’ investigation.

This content was originally published in South Korea: Yoon “did not intend complete martial law”, says lawyer on the CNN Brasil website.

Source: CNN Brasil

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