Seoul: At the final hearing of his impeachment trial, South Korea's detained President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his Dec. 3 short-lived martial law, insisting that its "purpose has been largely achieved."

According to Anadolu Agency, in his 40-minute closing statement before an eight-judge Constitutional Court in Seoul, Yoon vowed to pursue constitutional amendments once he returns to work. "When I return to work, I will focus on constitutional amendments. I will not dwell on the remaining term," he stated, expressing his intent to revise the constitutional system established through the 1987 direct presidential election amendment.

Yoon apologized to the people, saying, "Martial law was for the country and the people, but I sincerely apologize for causing confusion and inconvenience to the precious people in the process." His legal team, in its closing statement, defended the martial law declaration as an "inevitable choice." Attorney Lee Dong-chan of the presidential delegation urged the dismissal of the impeachment, claiming that the declaration was necessary due to the opposition party's actions.

The National Assembly, acting as the prosecution, demanded Yoon's removal over the imposition of martial law, arguing that it violated the Constitution and laws without a national emergency. The impeachment motion accuses Yoon of bypassing due procedures.

The Constitutional Court is tasked with deciding Yoon's fate within 180 days of the National Assembly's impeachment vote on Dec. 14. The court's judgment is anticipated in mid-March. If six of the eight judges uphold the impeachment, a snap presidential election will be held within 60 days; if at least three judges overturn the impeachment, Yoon will be reinstated.

Outside the court, nearly 4,000 supporters rallied in support of Yoon, holding signs with slogans like "Stop the Steal" and "Freedom is Not Free." A pro-Yoon group announced they had submitted a petition with 190,000 signatures opposing the impeachment.