The Constitutional Court is holding its second pre-trial hearing tomorrow that is Friday and this upcoming event will take place in the presence of eight justices given the recent filling of two of the three vacancies.
Oh Soo-young reports.
President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial proceedings will continue with the second preparation hearing taking place this Friday.
Judges will once again attempt to lay out the main grounds for his impeachment, and a working list of evidence and witnesses each side would like to present throughout the trial.
At the first hearing last Friday, the National Assembly’s impeachment panel set out four to five grounds in their move to remove Yoon from office.
It applied for 15 witnesses, including key figures under investigation suspected of being involved in the martial law order, such as former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
Yoon’s team, however, had not submitted any materials.
But his lawyers seemed to contest the grounds for impeachment saying they were based on media reports, as well as the Court’s method of delivering official papers to notify Yoon of the trial.
The President had refused to accept the delivery at his residence and office in central Seoul.
Thus, amid concerns that Yoon’s legal team will employ delaying tactics to prolong the trial, it remains to be seen how cooperative the team will be in the preparatory hearing.
“Still, Yoon’s impeachment trial is expected to pick up pace, as the Constitutional Court now has eight justices one short of a full panel but the same number as when former President Park Geun-hye was impeached in 2017.”
The initial panel would have needed to vote unanimously for impeachment as at least six justices need to uphold the ruling, under the two thirds majority rule.
The Court held an inauguration ceremony for the two new Justices Cho Han-chang and Jeong Gye-seon on Thursday.
Beginning his tenure, Justice Cho vowed to always reflect on what it means to ensure the dignity and value of humanity,
and how the protection of basic rights through the rule of law should be realized in defending liberal democratic order.
Justice Jeong said she would strive to be a reliable member of the Court that earns the trust of the people.
Their six-year terms will end on the last day of December 2030.
Now, with one judicial vacancy, the Court said Thursday that it continues to call for a swift appointment to complete its panel.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok has said he will fill the remaining seat after bipartisan agreement is reached in Parliament.
Also, with investigative authorities closing in to detain Yoon for questioning on insurrection charges, the Constitutional Court said it will conduct a procedural review of the case including the President’s request for the court’s adjudication and an injunction to challenge the arrest warrant.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=279549
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