Yoon 'may represent himself' in legal actions over martial law

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is willing to present his views himself during legal proceedings related to his short-lived declaration of martial law, a lawyer advising him said on Dec 19.

SEOUL - South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is willing to present his views himself during legal proceedings related to his short-lived declaration of martial law, a lawyer advising him said on Dec 19.

The lawyer, Mr Seok Dong-hyeon, also told reporters that multiple - seemingly overlapping - investigations involving Mr Yoon should be streamlined.

Mr Yoon, a former prosecutor, shocked the nation on Dec 3 when he declared martial law in a late-night TV address, before backing down hours later after outraged lawmakers rejected his decree.

"He (Yoon) has already apologised for surprising and shocking the public, and he remains apologetic for that... but he has a clear and confident position on the issues that are in dispute and must be addressed," Mr Seok told a briefing, adding that Mr Yoon had never considered insurrection.

Mr Yoon was impeached by Parliament in a vote on Dec 14 over his botched imposition of martial law, and faces a Constitutional Court trial on whether to remove him from office or restore his presidential powers.

Mr Yoon also faces investigations into whether the martial law declaration constituted insurrection, one of the few charges for which a South Korean president does not have immunity.