Seoul: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his apology and gratitude to the nation on Tuesday as he addressed the final hearing of his impeachment trial regarding his brief imposition of martial law.

"I want to first say that I am sorry and thankful to the people," Yoon stated at the Constitutional Court, reflecting on the period following his surprise declaration of martial law on December 3.

"While feeling thankful, the reality of not being able to do my work in the time given to me by the people made me sorry and caused my heart to ache," he added.

During the final arguments, Yoon’s legal team called for the dismissal of his impeachment, arguing that the actions of the opposition party necessitated his short-lived martial law declaration.

The president was not present in the courtroom as his lawyers presented their case, defending his decision and asking for the impeachment to be overturned.

Earlier in the day, thousands of President Yoon's supporters gathered outside the Constitutional Court, urging the nullification of the impeachment motion.

By 10 a.m., around 3,800 police officers had been stationed near the court's main entrance and at Anguk Station. Approximately 190 police buses were also parked, effectively blocking the view of the court from the sidewalk.

The impeachment motion filed by the National Assembly accuses Yoon of violating the Constitution and legal procedures by declaring martial law without a national emergency and bypassing necessary steps like holding a Cabinet meeting and notifying Parliament.

Yoon has defended his decision, stating that the imposition of martial law was an act of governance aimed at warning the opposition party for its repeated impeachments of government officials and attempts to reduce the budget.