South Korea's impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, appeared at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, marking his first attendance at the hearings to determine his fate. Yoon, who declared martial law on December 3, 2024, sparking political chaos, was impeached shortly afterward. He became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested in connection with an insurrection investigation.

During the court session, Yoon vowed to cooperate with the judges and answered questions, including denying any involvement in ordering the military to forcibly remove lawmakers during the martial law dispute. Thousands of protesters gathered outside the court, both supporting and opposing his removal.

Yoon’s legal team has requested to call numerous witnesses, arguing that his martial law declaration was a necessary response to alleged election fraud. If the Constitutional Court rules against Yoon, a new presidential election will be held within 60 days.

Yoon has continued to resist questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office, which is conducting a separate criminal probe into his martial law actions.