President Yoon's impeachment trial debates begin as court rejects request for rescheduling amid arrest

And the second impeachment hearing for President Yoon was carried out as scheduled on Thursday without him, where his legal representatives and the National Assembly's legal team exchanged some heated words.

Our Oh Soo-young reports.

President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial unfolded with intense political overtones, as the Constitutional Court proceeded without the leader at the second hearing on Thursday.

"As a full-fledged debate began, lawyers representing Yoon and the National Assembly presented conflicting narratives about the legality and necessity of the martial law declared on December third."

The National Assembly's panel presented five grounds for impeachment, declaring there was no basis or conditions that made it necessary for a martial law decree, which can only be triggered by the president in times of national crises such as war or those akin to war.

The panel also said Yoon violated the procedure of declaring the decree, by not having properly attained and documented Cabinet approval.

They also claimed Yoon tried to paralyze the functions of parliament by aiming to prevent a motion to lift martial law, as well as block political activities, gatherings, and press freedom.

The Assembly's side further said Yoon tried to undermine the independence of the National Election Commission, and tried to detain judicial figures.

"The respondent violated the Constitution, attempting to dismantle the Republic of Korea's constitutional and democratic system in one sweeping act."

Meanwhile, Yoon's lawyers questioned the impeachment process, and emphasized the context in which the President felt forced to declare the fateful decree.

The lawyers insisted that the President was initiating a peaceful martial law against the opposition-led parliament's series of attacks and impeachment motions against the incumbent government.

"I'd like to ask how exactly you as the opposition-led Parliament have been protecting the political opposition which is the Administration, with your relentless attacks? You claim protecting the opposition is fundamental to liberal democracy and that hit me hard."

Yoon's side also raised suspicions about election fraud, and claimed it was the President's duty to try to protect the Constitutional order, as the National Election Commission refused to accept investigations.

They fundamentally argued that martial law should not be subject to judicial review, calling it an act of governance that can be exercised by the president.

The team further reiterated their position that the National Assembly panel's move to remove debate over insurrection from the trial, undermines its legitimacy, as the Assembly cited insurrection as a major reason for impeachment in their resolution.

The second hearing took place without the President, as the leader was arrested and taken in for questioning on Wednesday.

Under the Constitutional Court Act, the judicial bench is able to hold trial hearings without the respondent, if they are absent for the second time.

The Court denied Yoon's request to delay Thursday's session, saying that his 48-hour detainment didn't justify rescheduling.

However, during the hearing, the bench decided to add three full days of trial hearings until February 13th.

It originally set five afternoon sessions until February 4th, which Yoon's defense objected to.

His legal team has argued that the trial is moving along too quickly, without sufficient discussion or notification of the proceedings.

The team has also objected to the Court obtaining investigation records as evidence.

To this the Court said it does not violate the law, and also announced that five senior officials under investigation including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former intelligence chief Hong Jang-won were selected as witnesses, with testimonies set for January 23rd and February 4th.

The next trial hearing for the President's impeachment will be held Tuesday at 2 PM.

Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.