Seoul: South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared a short-lived martial law last month, told the Constitutional Court on Tuesday that he believed in liberal democracy, Yonhap news reported. "Since coming of age, I have lived with a firm belief in liberal democracy until this very day, and especially during my time in public service," Yoon told the top court, which has up to six months to review his impeachment. He will remain suspended till then.

According to Anadolu Agency, Yoon addressed the court personally, making him the first president to attend a court hearing in person. "As the Constitutional Court is an institution that exists to defend the Constitution, I ask the justices to consider me favorably in various respects," he urged. Yoon's lawyers had previously informed the court that he had no intention of imposing martial law. The 63-year-old embattled president was impeached by parliament on Dec. 14, 2024, following his Dec. 3 army rule decree. Arrested last week, Yoon has been detained at a facility in Uiwang, south of Seoul.

The court held its third hearing session on the impeachment trial on Tuesday, reviewing evidence presented by the National Assembly. Yoon was absent from the first two hearings. The Constitutional Court is scheduled to reconvene on Jan. 23 and Feb. 4. Meanwhile, hundreds of Yoon's supporters gathered outside the court to express their support, displaying signs reading "Impeachment Invalid." To prevent violence, police secured all entrances to the court premises.

Over the weekend, police detained approximately 90 of Yoon's supporters for violent disorder during protests at the Seoul Western District Court and the Constitutional Court against his formal arrest. Yoon is the first sitting president in South Korean history to be formally arrested after a Seoul court issued a warrant on Sunday for his extended detention.