Lawyer Seok Dong-hyeon, center, a temporary representative of President Yoon Suk Yeol's legal counsel, expresses Yoon's stance at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk Yeol remains resolute in his legal position and stands firm against treason charges related to his botched martial law declaration, his legal adviser said Thursday.

While the adviser conveyed Yoon's stance, he declined to provide details on the president's plans, such as potential court appearances or the surrounding controversy, adding that such announcements would be made soon once the president's legal team is formed.

"We apologize for the shock that the president's declaration of martial law has caused to the public. However, the president firmly believes in the necessity of fully examining the legality of issues underlying the treason charges," Seok Dong-hyeon, Yoon's attorney, told reporters.

Seok, a former high-profile prosecutor who has known Yoon for 40 years, serves as a temporary representative of Yoon's legal counsel.

Citing Yoon's expertise in criminal law, Seok emphasized that Yoon viewed the situation at the time as a national emergency, and therefore his martial law cannot constitute treason.

"What kind of treason is there to publicly declare, in front of the world, ‘I'm going to commit treason'?" Seok said, questioning the logic of labeling the president's public announcement as treason.

"I was also informed that the president never used terms like 'arrest' or 'drag down' (in reference to) lawmakers," he added.

He explained that fewer than 300 unarmed soldiers were sent to the National Assembly after Yoon declared martial law, emphasizing that the president explicitly ordered them to avoid any clashes with citizens.

This contradicts the statement from Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, the former chief of the Army Special Warfare Command, who said Yoon ordered him to forcibly remove lawmakers from the National Assembly building during the martial law operations.

Furthermore, Seok reiterated the president's confidence, noting that Yoon has addressed the matter in two public statements and maintained a firm position.

Regarding Yoon's current status, Seok said the president remains at his residence, preparing for the legal battle ahead. His presidential privileges have been suspended, barring him from accessing the presidential office.

A flag flutters outside the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, Seoul, ahead of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial over the martial law controversy, Thursday. Yonhap

While Seok outlined Yoon's stance on the treason charges, he refrained from answering specific questions about the president's refusal to comply with requests to appear for questioning, as well as his lack of acknowledgment of documents sent from the Constitutional Court and his plans to appear in court.

"The official defense team or the president himself will address these matters directly soon," he said.

The formation of Yoon's legal team is still in progress, with no official power of attorney issued to any agency to appoint legal counsel.

"We need more time. I believe it will be finalized soon, and there are no significant difficulties in forming the team," Seok said, describing the process as an effort to assemble the most effective defense strategy.

Kim Hong-il, former chairman of the Korea Communications Commission and a former chief prosecutor of the Busan High Prosecutors' Office, along with Yun Gap-geun, former chief prosecutor of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, are reportedly under consideration to join the team.

Seok confirmed that both individuals are being reviewed but noted no final decisions have been made.

He clarified that he intends to remain in an advisory role and does not plan to formally join the legal team as defense counsel.

Seok, who has publicly conveyed Yoon's stance twice, spoke about his long-standing relationship with Yoon, noting that they went to the same university and served as prosecutors during the same period.

"We've had many conversations and exchanged numerous opinions during significant moments in Yoon's career, such as his suspension as prosecutor general," he said.