Constitutional Court to Hold First Hearing on Im Seong-geun Impeachment Trial on the 10th of Next Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Constitutional Court has decided to hold the first hearing on the impeachment motion against Im Seong-geun, former Chief Judge of the Busan High Court, on the 10th of next month.

The Constitutional Court announced on the 18th that it has scheduled hearings on the impeachment case of former Chief Judge Im for the 10th and 15th of next month and has notified the parties involved of the schedule.

Earlier, on March 24th, the Constitutional Court held a preparatory hearing to determine evidence and the method of argument related to this case.

Former Chief Judge Im is accused of intervening in the trial of the Seoul bureau chief of the Japanese Sankei Shimbun, who was indicted for defamation for reporting on former President Park Geun-hye's "scandal rumors" on the day of the Sewol ferry disaster.

The first trial in the criminal court acquitted him based on the legal principle that "there is no abuse of authority without authority," but the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion, claiming his actions were unconstitutional.

However, since former Chief Judge Im's term ended in February and he is no longer in office, there is also a prospect that the impeachment trial will end with a dismissal decision.