Final Argument from the National Assembly Side, Lee Kwang-beom: "Yoon Must Be Swiftly Removed for Trampling Democratic Constitutional Order"

In the final argument of President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial, the National Assembly side argued, "The respondent (President Yoon) abandoned his role as the president of the democratic republic of Korea the moment he declared martial law," and insisted that "he must be swiftly removed from office."

Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae of the Constitutional Court and constitutional justices are seated at the 11th hearing of the presidential impeachment trial held on the afternoon of the 25th at the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court in Jaedong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the afternoon of the 25th, during the 11th hearing of President Yoon's impeachment trial, lawyer Lee Kwang-beom, who spoke as the first representative of the National Assembly's legal team in the comprehensive argument, stated, "The respondent brutally trampled on the democratic constitutional order that our people have protected with their blood and lives."

Lawyer Lee also said, "On the night of December 3rd, President Yoon unfolded a surreal scene that could not even be seen in movies or dramas," adding, "In short, it was an act of destroying the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and an act of overthrowing the democratic republic."

He said that President Yoon "ignored the existence of opposition parties and was obsessed with eliminating potential political rivals," and "although cooperation with the majority opposition parties was the only option for his survival, he fell into the delusion that the crushing defeat in the general election was the result of election fraud." He continued, "He wanted to create a world where his single order would become the Constitution, privatize the state, and reign above the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. We call this dictatorship."

Lawyer Lee stated, "President Yoon claims there is a conspiracy against his impeachment and even raises conspiracy theories, calling martial law a 'enlightenment order,'" and questioned, "Who is trying to enlighten whom?"

Referring to the situation where the president is being tried after being indicted and detained on charges of leading a rebellion, he said, "Even if he avoids removal from office, can he avoid punishment? Can we entrust the state affairs to him again?" He added, "Who can guarantee that if President Yoon returns, he will not declare a second or third martial law? We, along with the people, earnestly hope for the wise judgment of the court."

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