President Yoon Suk-yeol is reported to be in the process of assembling a legal team in preparation for an investigation related to the December 3 emergency martial law situation, for which he faces charges of insurrection. It is known that President Yoon has been holed up in the presidential residence in Hannam-dong for three days, minimizing external activities and focusing on forming a legal team and developing a defense strategy against the insurrection charges.

According to legal circles on the 10th, it is reported that President Yoon's side has recently been in contact with lawyers who have a close relationship with him, centered around former Korea Communications Commission Chairman Kim Hong-il, who is a former prosecutor. Kim, who served as the chairman of the Special Committee for the Investigation of Political Manipulation during the last presidential election, is classified as one of President Yoon's closest aides.

The legal team being envisioned by President Yoon's side is expected to consist of 5 to 6 members, and discussions are reportedly underway with Lawyer A, who is a former administrative officer in the Office of the Legal Secretary to the President and previously handled the case involving allegations of receiving luxury bags by First Lady Kim Geon-hee.

In addition, lawyers with experience as high-ranking prosecutors and those from mid-sized law firms are also said to be under consideration. As investigations by the prosecution, police, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials are accelerating against President Yoon, the formation of the legal team is expected to proceed quickly.

The Corruption Investigation Office applied for a travel ban on President Yoon the previous day, and the prosecution swiftly secured the custody of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a key figure in the emergency martial law situation. The police have also begun notifying summons for attendees of the martial law cabinet meeting, indicating that the investigative agencies are rapidly turning their focus toward President Yoon.

In the National Assembly, there have been mentions of resignation options for President Yoon, including calls for his resignation, and a budget reduction bill led by the opposition passed the plenary session, but the presidential office has not issued any statement. Instead, there is a prevailing atmosphere of focusing on preparations for the imminent investigation behind the scenes. On this day, First Lady Kim deleted her Telegram account, and many other presidential aides were observed resetting their Telegram accounts.

[Ahn Jung-hoon Reporter / Park Min-ki Reporter]