President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial, centered on his role in December’s martial law declaration, has revealed conflicting testimonies and procedural irregularities that could significantly impact the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

During the Constitutional Court’s first in-person hearing last week, Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun cross-examined each other for about six hours, offering contradictory accounts on key issues, including the martial law’s implementation, troop deployment and plans for an emergency legislative body. In many cases, Kim backtracked his previous remarks in favor of Yoon’s account.