Constitutional Court to Convene Meeting at 10 AM on the 16th... "Will Ensure Fair Trial"

Mun Hyeong-bae "Will Conduct Swift and Fair Trial"

Constitutional Court nominee Moon Hyung-bae is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 9th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Immediately after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, Jeong Cheong-rae, Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, submitted the impeachment resolution to the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court plans to hold a justices' meeting on the upcoming Monday (16th) to discuss the case handling schedule.

According to the legal community on the 14th, Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyeong-bae of the Constitutional Court stated, "I have convened a justices' meeting at 10 a.m. on the 16th, and we will discuss the case handling schedule then," adding, "We will conduct a swift and fair trial." The Constitutional Court also plans to designate two full-term justices and form a constitutional research officer task force, including preparatory procedures for the oral arguments.

Meanwhile, the confirmation hearings and appointment procedures for the three vacant constitutional justice positions are expected to intensify. Recently, the Democratic Party recommended Jeong Gye-seon (55, 27th Judicial Examination), Chief Judge of the Seoul District Court, and Ma Eun-hyeok (61, 29th Judicial Examination), Chief Judge of the Seoul Western District Court, as candidates for constitutional justices. The ruling party also recommended lawyer Jo Han-chang (59, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 18), who previously served as a judge at the Seoul High Court.

With the National Assembly's approval of the presidential impeachment motion, President Yoon's duties were immediately suspended, and Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, acting as the authority, is expected to exercise the appointment power for justices. The legal community views that the appointment of justices recommended by the National Assembly is close to a 'status quo' authority of the acting power, so there are no procedural issues.