”Emergency martial law is a message to the peaceful people” - what former South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol argued at his first hearing

The first hearing of South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was indicted on charges of instigating a civil war by declaring "emergency martial law" in December last year, was held at the Seoul Central District Court on the 14th of this month. Yoon began by saying:
He spoke for 79 minutes during his statement, claiming that the declaration of "emergency martial law" was "a peaceful message of martial law," and denied the charges. Yoon's lawyer also said he denies all the charges.
The state of emergency declared by Yoon in the country is a type of martial law stipulated in the South Korean Constitution, and is used in times of war, civil unrest, and other emergencies when it is necessary for military purposes or to maintain public order.
The military takes control of executive and judicial functions and is authorized to restrict freedom of speech, press, and association.
Following the declaration of emergency martial law for the first time since democratization in 1987, armed martial law soldiers
The police broke the glass and stormed into the parliament building. In a situation reminiscent of the military regime, many citizens gathered in front of the parliament, chanting slogans against martial law and surrounding military vehicles.
There was uproar. However, when martial law is lifted, if a majority of the members of the National Assembly request it, the President must respond. Soon after it was issued, a plenary session of the National Assembly was held, and all the members present voted in favor of lifting it. Yoon
The government lifted the state of emergency after just six hours. However, the declaration of state of emergency caused great political and social unrest, and the opposition party accused Yoon of instigating civil unrest. Article 87 of the Korean Criminal Code provides that
The law stipulates that riots with the intent of eliminating authority or undermining the national constitution will be punished as treason. The maximum penalty is the death penalty. Yoon was indicted on charges of instigating treason. According to the indictment,
After declaring martial law in December last year, the government allegedly launched riots with the intent of disrupting constitutional order, including by sending military and police into the National Assembly to prevent it from passing a resolution calling for the lifting of martial law.
On the 14th, Yoon's first hearing was held at the Seoul Central District Court. Yoon appeared in court wearing a dark suit and a red tie. Korean media outlet E-Daily reported that Yoon appeared in court in a "calm, composed manner."
"He entered the courtroom with a serious look on his face. His hair was neatly combed, he sat down with a stern look on his face, and he was seen speaking briefly with his lawyers," the prosecution said in its opening statement.
He pointed out that the government had deepened its conflict with the opposition parties, which controlled the majority of the government, and was unable to implement its own policies, leading it to view the opposition parties as "anti-national forces." He also said that the government had attempted to suspend the functioning of national institutions such as the National Assembly.
"The state of emergency was declared for a few hours and was non-violent. We immediately accepted the Diet's request to lift it and lifted it. The state of emergency was a message to the peaceful people," he said, adding that the crime of treason was established.
Yoon also mentioned the civil wars caused by former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo. "I also had many cases in the past (when I was a prosecutor).
"I have analyzed the indictments and verdicts for the December 12 military coup (1979) and the May 18 Gwangju incident (1980)," he said, adding, "I was able to carry out non-violent
"The very act of immediately accepting the request from the National Assembly to lift martial law and then lifting it is a crime of insurrection, but that is in itself illogical," he said, adding that the indictment prepared by the prosecution reads, "It's like a confession."
"It's like pasting the above text directly onto the indictment," he said. Yoon spoke for about 80 minutes that day, and at one point the presiding judge warned him that he was speaking too long.
Yoon continued to make his claims. The main opposition Democratic Party criticized Yoon for denying the charges at the first hearing, saying, "Even the courtroom has been used as a place to insult the people." Han Min-soo, a spokesman for the party, said on the 1
On the 4th, he made a written comment saying, "President Yoon Seok-yeol's apology and remorse were just futile expectations. Former President Yoon was far from restrained; he trampled on constitutional order and democracy with unconstitutional and illegal strict measures.
The South Korean newspaper Hankyoreh, which has been critical of the Yoon administration, also criticized the government for "shifting the blame for 79 minutes and mocking the people."
The first hearing was reported under the headline "I'm still ignoring it." The district court decided to hold the next hearing on the 21st. The hearings will be held on the 28th and the 8th of next month.
He may lose his presidential privileges and be charged with abuse of power, which could lead to more trials."