Seoul: Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun appeared at the Constitutional Court on Thursday to testify as a witness in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial, addressing allegations regarding Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law. Kim is currently detained for his involvement in the December 3 martial law declaration and was questioned about the president’s directives during the trial’s fourth hearing, which Yoon also attended.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim confirmed under questioning from Yoon’s legal team that the president had ordered the mobilization of a “small number” of troops, contrary to Kim’s advice to deploy up to 60,000 soldiers to enforce martial law. Despite his reservations, Kim stated, “It was different from my thinking but because it was President Yoon’s order, I respected it and prepared for it.” He added that he questioned the feasibility of enforcing martial law at the time.
During the hearing, President Yoon refuted claims that the martial law was a failure, asserting that it concluded sooner than anticipated due to the National Assembly’s swift demand for its termination. He emphasized the legality of his order to mobilize troops, which he claimed was executed in accordance with legal standards.
Kim is charged with suggesting martial law to Yoon and drafting the decree. He denied allegations that Yoon ordered troops to storm the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting against the decree. Instead, Kim stated the intention was to maintain order and allow selective entry.
The former minister also testified that he had planned to deploy troops to the main opposition Democratic Party’s headquarters and a polling agency but retracted the plan at Yoon’s command. He mentioned deleting a curfew imposition from the decree draft after Yoon raised concerns about public inconvenience.
Additionally, Kim acknowledged instructing Finance Minister and acting President Choi Sang-mok to form an “emergency legislative body” on the day of the martial law declaration, attributing the note to his staff rather than Yoon. He explained the need for reserve funds for potential unexpected expenses following martial law enforcement.
Both Yoon and Kim clarified that the “emergency legislative body” was not meant to undermine or replace the National Assembly. Meanwhile, President Yoon is being held at a separate detention center following a Seoul court’s issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
Yoon’s legal team confirmed that the impeached president intends to attend all remaining trial hearings if possible, marking his second appearance after being transported from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang. During a previous hearing, Yoon denied giving orders to remove lawmakers from the National Assembly amid the martial law attempt.