Gwak Jong-geun: "Understood the President's order as referring to lawmakers"
Yoon immediately rebuts unfavorable testimony
"Impeachment plot started because of Hong Jang-won and Gwak Jong-geun"
Former Special Warfare Commander Gwak Jong-geun stated that considering the overall situation at the time, the target President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered to be "dragged out" at the National Assembly was indeed the lawmakers. He also testified that he never received any withdrawal orders regarding the troops deployed to the National Assembly from President Yoon or former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. This testimony directly contradicts the claims made by President Yoon’s side, following the testimony of former First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service Hong Jang-won. Throughout Gwak’s testimony, President Yoon was seen closing his eyes multiple times, appearing deep in thought.
President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the 6th impeachment trial hearing held at the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 6th, closing his eyes tightly. 2025.02.06 Photo by Joint Press Corps
Gwak Jong-geun: "The President ordered to drag out the lawmakers"... Also corrected some statements
On the 6th, former Commander Gwak appeared as a witness at the 6th hearing of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial held at the Constitutional Court. When asked by the National Assembly’s legal team whether the target President Yoon ordered to be brought out at the time was indeed the lawmakers, he answered, "That is exactly correct." Then, as the National Assembly side read from Gwak’s prosecution interrogation record, stating, "President Yoon personally called on a burner phone and said, 'It seems the quorum for the vote inside the National Assembly has not been met yet. Quickly go in and bring out the people inside the Assembly,'" they asked if this was true. Gwak confirmed, "That is correct."
Former Commander Gwak further explained, "At that time, personnel from the 707 Special Mission Unit were at the main gate of the National Assembly building, facing off, but no personnel had entered inside the main building." He added, "Since I received the call in that state, I naturally understood the parts about the quorum issue and dragging out the people inside as referring to the lawmakers, because there were no operatives inside the main building."
However, during focused questioning by Justice Jeong Hyeong-sik of the Constitutional Court to verify facts, Gwak corrected some of his statements. When Justice Jeong asked, "Did you not say or hear the word 'lawmakers'?" Gwak replied, "The expression I heard over the phone was to drag out the people inside." Justice Jeong also urged Gwak during the questioning, "Please exclude your thoughts or interpretations and only state what you heard. If what you heard is inaccurate, please say it is inaccurate."
Gwak Jong-geun: "Never received withdrawal orders for National Assembly troops from the President or Kim Yong-hyun"
Special Warfare Commander Gwak Jong-geun Reveals Phone Conversation with President Yoon. Photo by Yonhap News
Former Commander Gwak testified that he never received any withdrawal orders for the troops from President Yoon or former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and that he issued the withdrawal order based on his own judgment. This testimony contradicts President Yoon’s claims. During the 4th hearing, President Yoon stated, "I immediately ordered the withdrawal as soon as the resolution to lift martial law was passed."
When asked, "Did you order the withdrawal of Special Warfare troops from the National Assembly after the situation ended?" Gwak answered, "Yes." When asked, "Did you receive any orders from the President or the Minister of Justice?" he replied, "I did not receive any withdrawal orders, and after I informed former Minister Kim that I would suspend the mission regarding the National Assembly and the National Election Commission and withdraw, the withdrawal took place."
He explained, "Former Minister Kim asked me what to do, so I told him I would suspend the missions at the National Assembly, the National Election Commission, the Democratic Party headquarters, and the polling stations, and then withdraw."
During the two hours of testimony that day, former Commander Gwak actively answered all questions, unlike two other commanders, Lee Jin-woo and Yeo In-hyeong, who had consistently exercised their right to remain silent in previous impeachment trial hearings. He was the overall commander who led the Special Warfare troops deployed to the National Assembly and the Central Election Commission building on the day martial law was declared and was indicted and detained by the prosecution. The indictment also includes charges that he ordered Kim Hyun-tae, commander of the 707 Special Mission Unit, and the commander of the 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade to "drag out the lawmakers."
Yoon counters: "Hong Jang-won claims impeachment plot started because of Gwak Jong-geun"
As former Commander Gwak delivered testimony that contradicted his claims, President Yoon was given an opportunity by the court to speak and hastily denied the allegations, appealing to "common sense." Throughout Gwak’s testimony, President Yoon showed an active attitude by tapping his lawyer’s arm and trying to speak. This was a change from the morning session, where he silently listened to the testimony of Kim Hyun-tae, commander of the 707 Special Mission Unit, with his eyes closed and little movement.
President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the 6th impeachment trial session held at the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 6th, and is reviewing documents. 2025.02.06 Photo by Joint Press Corps
President Yoon directly refuted Gwak’s claim that he was ordered to "drag out personnel," saying he never used the word "personnel." He emphasized, "Saying I ordered to drag out the lawmakers is just his interpretation; I never used the word 'lawmakers.' They say I used the word 'personnel,' but if they were lawmakers, they are lawmakers; I never used the word 'personnel' but just said 'people.'"
He raised his voice, saying, "I hope the court looks at this from a common-sense perspective?how could it be possible in any hierarchical relationship to suddenly order to drag out lawmakers to prevent the quorum from being met?"
He also criticized that Gwak did not resist the order at the time. He pointed out, "When a superior gives an order, if the subordinate thinks it is unfair or practically impossible to carry out, the basic response is to say it is difficult due to the circumstances."
Using hand gestures and raising his voice, President Yoon continued, claiming that the "rebellion frame" and "impeachment plot" started with former National Intelligence Service First Deputy Director Hong Jang-won and former Special Warfare Commander Gwak. He said, "Looking at the situation on the 4th and today, it seems the rebellion frame and impeachment plot started from the appearance of former Deputy Director Hong on December 6 and 'Kim Byung-joo TV' featuring former Special Warfare Commander Gwak. They pretended to hide it for the President but suddenly talk about it at the National Assembly, which clearly shows there is an intention behind it."
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