Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s since-impeached president, had been planning for months to impose martial law and target political opponents, according to accounts.

South Korea's acting president faces an impeachment vote as the Constitutional Court meets for its first hearing on Friday in the case of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and suspended from duties after a short-lived martial law.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt announcement of martial law shocked the world in December. The ensuing political crisis attracted our readers' eyes, as Yoon eventually faced impeachment. (Photo by Korean Presidential Office/Kyodo)

The lawyers for a former South Korean defence minister under investigation on insurrection charges said on Thursday a short-lived martial law decree imposed earlier this month was to raise alarm on opposition parties' abuse of the democratic process.

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol again declined to appear for questioning by investigators over his martial law declaration as the embattled leader seeks to first defend himself at an impeachment trial.

South Korea's suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol authorized the military to fire their weapons if needed to enter parliament during

Yoon Suk-yeol retains the title but not the power of president while the constitutional court decides whether to approve the motion to impeach him.

South Korea ’s main opposition party has decided not to impeach acting president Han Duck Soo, providing a critical lifeline to the country’s leadership amidst ongoing political upheaval over Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law.