Fmr. Defense Minister testifies as first witness at President Yoon's impeachment trial

We start at the Constitutional Court where the fourth hearing into the impeachment case against President Yoon Suk Yeol kicked off earlier this afternoon again in his presence.

For more Arirang's Oh Soo-young joins us live from the court.

Soo-young so what are the latest developments there?

Yes. The President appeared in front of justices for the second time as he attended his fourth trial hearing, where the former defense minister was called in as the first of eight witnesses.

Kim Yong-hyun is one of the key figures implicated in planning and executing the martial law decree.

Considered Yoon's right-hand man, Kim initially said he'd take responsibility for the chaos that ensued.

It seemed his loyalty to the President would remain firm as he initially refused to answer questions by the National Assembly's impeachment panel, saying his words were highly likely to be distorted.

He changed his mind after a short break.

As the session proceeded, the focus of the questions was on the legality of the martial law decree, with Kim insisting Yoon had held a proper Cabinet meeting beforehand, saying that a copy of the martial law declaration was distributed to Cabinet members and that someone had kept the minutes.

Also, when asked if he had written the controversial note the finance minister received, instructing him to draft a budget for emergency legislation, Kim said he had, and handed it to an administrative staff member.

This came after President Yoon initially said he could not remember whether he wrote the note or not, before recently denying that he had.

There was also much focus on the martial law proclamation which included a ban on political activities one of the Assembly's grounds for impeaching Yoon.

Kim said he had personally typed up the proclamation, but couldn't seem to recall which software he used when asked by the Assembly.

Furthermore, on whether there was an order for military troops to storm the National Assembly on December third, "drag out Assembly members," Kim said he'd meant troop members inside the Assembly to avoid potential clashes.

With his testimony, Kim more or less established the stance that martial law was declared to uphold the Constitutional order, out of deep frustration with the opposition-led parliament's efforts to impeach incumbent officials,.. thwart effective governance, and cut down budgets vital to public safety and livelihoods.

The National Assembly's side, meanwhile, has continued to argue that Yoon's martial law declaration and the related decrees were unconstitutional and violated procedures, citing how Cabinet members said they didn't agree with the martial law nor documented their approval.

Going forward I hear the president will now be attending all of the remaining four sessions?

Yes. Yoon's lawyers say he will if possible attend all future hearings which have been scheduled until February 13th.

He's filed without success an appeal against his arrest, and major figures implicated in the suspected insurrection have also been arrested so he is looking cornered when it comes to the criminal investigation against him.

By attending future hearings, President Yoon could emphasize his narrative and might even directly question witnesses if necessary, as he did today.

Also, he may be more determined to appear at the Constitutional Court as a means of further rallying his supporters, emboldened by the latest polls which show growing numbers back the ruling party, and his non-impeachment.

On Thursday, the police deployed 54 riot police units, consisting of 3,500 officers, around the court to prepare for potential incidents.

Approximately 160 police buses were stationed, forming walls around the Constitutional Court.

Around 200 people were gathered nearby, waving Korean and American flags and chanting for the President's release and for the Court to drop the impeachment.

On the opposite side of the street, though, people were calling for his impeachment and for him to be punished.

The police formed tight lines to prevent clashes between the opposing groups.

All right Soo-young thank you for the latest on the impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court.