As President Yoon’s impeachment trial continues, the Constitutional Court on Monday holds its first meeting of all eight justices after two new members joined the bench last week.
Although there’s one vacancy left, the Court is still fully equipped to proceed with impeachment trials and deliver rulings.
We connect with our Oh Soo-young at the Constitutional Court to hear the latest on President Yoon’s trial.
1. Sooyoung, first let’s go over the significance of the meeting today and what the justices will be discussing.
Justices will hold their first meeting on Monday, marking the launch of an eight-member panel after 75 days of three critical vacancies.
Under the Constitutional Court Act, at least seven justices are required to deliberate cases, and a minimum of six votes is needed to deliver a ruling on impeachment trials.
Now, with the eight-strong bench, they are expected to discuss various cases including President Yoon’s impeachment trial.
First, beginning with one of the most contentious points raised during the second preparatory hearing for Yoon’s trial on Friday on the grounds for impeachment.
The National Assembly revealed a shift in its approach, stating it would no longer argue whether the martial law declaration constitutes insurrection under criminal law.
Eliminating the process of calling in related witnesses would streamline the trial proceedings and therefore speed up the ruling.
However, Yoon’s legal team strongly opposed the move, arguing that it defeats the purpose of holding the trial, as the National Assembly’s resolution cites insurrection as a reason for impeachment.
2. Yoon’s team is arguing for more time of course, and raising procedural concerns.
That’s right. On Friday, the Constitutional Court decided not to schedule a third preparatory hearing for the trial, but announced five hearing dates beginning January 14 through February 4.
This puts significant time pressure on Yoon’s team, which has been accused of employing delaying tactics by refusing delivery of court documents and not submitting sufficient materials during the first two preparatory hearings.
If Yoon skips the first trial session, the court would have to reschedule.
But a second absence would enable the panel to proceed without him.
The President’s attorney Yoon Gap-geun slammed the Court’s decision to pre-schedule five trial hearings in a row, saying it violates legal procedures.
He cited Article 124-2 of the Criminal Procedure Rules, which states that when the presiding judge designates multiple trial dates at once, the opinions of the prosecutor, defendant, or defense counsel must be heard.
Yoon’s attorney further revealed on Sunday that the President himself will show up at the court “on an appropriate date to present his opinions.”
That would be an unprecedented move, as neither former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun nor Park Geun-hye attended their respective impeachment trials. We don’t know when Yoon will attend the hearing, but the earliest would be next Tuesday.
Thanks for your updates Sooyoung.
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=279618
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