Yoon’s first preparatory hearing set for Dec. 27

Dec 17, 2024, 03:06 pm

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Congratulatory wreaths supporting President Yoon Suk-yeol and funerary wreaths urging the impeachment of President Yoon are placed near the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Dec. 16, 2024./ Source: Yonhap

AsiaToday reporter Kim Chae-yeon

The Constitutional Court said on Monday that it would prioritize President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial, setting the first preparatory hearing for Dec. 27. Judge Jeong Hyung-sik has been designated as the chief justice who holds the key to the impeachment trial.

The court said in a briefing it has designated justices Lee Mi-sun and Jeong Hyung-sik as the two lead justices to oversee the evidence examination and arguments. Lee was appointed by former President Moon Jae-in while Jeong was nominated by President Yoon.

Jeong, who is known as a conservative, has also been designated as chief justice. The chief judge will be leading the ruling by drafting the resolution and preparing arguments. During the preliminary hearing, both the parliamentary plaintiff and Yoon’s defense counsel will be called to review issues and evidence while deciding on hearing dates for deliberation. Yoon’s attendance is not compulsory. The Constitutional Court plans to secure investigation records from the prosecution and police in advance.

The court said it has also decided to put Yoon’s impeachment case on top of the list. The court is currently reviewing eight cases of impeachment including President Yoon, Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, National Police Chief Cho Jin-ho, Korean Communications Commission Chairman Lee Jin-sook, and Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Hae-soo.

“In principle, the proceedings for other cases in December should be carried out as they are. But the President impeachment case will be put at the top of the list,” the court said, adding that the court can proceed with Yoon’s trial under the six-member system instead of the full nine.

Meanwhile, the court has formed a task force comprising 10 constitutional researchers, led by a senior researcher.

#Yoon Suk-yeol #constitutional court #preparatory hearing