The Constitutional Court, currently reviewing the impeachment petition against President Yoon Suk-yeol, notified President Yoon of the receipt of the case and requested the submission of a written response.
On the morning of the 17th, Constitutional Court Justice Kim Hyung-doo responded to reporters' related questions, saying, "There is a customary phrase requesting the immediate submission of a written response upon notification of the arrival of the impeachment ruling document," and added, "It was sent out promptly yesterday morning."
Justice Jeong Hyeong-sik of the Constitutional Court, who will preside over the impeachment trial petition of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News
According to relevant regulations, President Yoon's side must submit a written response within seven days from the date of delivery of the ruling document. If the document was delivered immediately on the 16th, the response must be submitted by the 23rd; however, if delivery is delayed, the deadline for submission may be extended.
When asked whether a decision could be made by April next year, Justice Kim replied, "That remains to be seen." Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae and Justice Lee Mi-sun will have their terms expire in April next year.
Once President Yoon's written response arrives, the Constitutional Court is expected to begin full-scale deliberations.
The day before, the Constitutional Court held its first justices' meeting related to this case and formed a Constitutional Research Officer Task Force (TF) led by the senior constitutional research officer.
Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae designated Justices Lee Mi-sun and Jung Hyung-sik as substitute justices. Through a computerized lottery, Justice Jung Hyung-sik was appointed as the presiding justice. Among the six current justices, Justice Jung is the only one appointed by President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The Constitutional Court decided to hold the first preparatory hearing on the 27th and to prioritize the impeachment case against President Yoon above other impeachment cases.
On the 16th, the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is conducting related procedures for a swift trial ahead of the full impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
Meanwhile, it is known that President Yoon is forming a legal defense team centered around former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairman Kim Hong-il and former Daegu High Prosecutors' Office Chief Prosecutor Yoon Gap-geun. Former Constitutional Court Justice Kang Il-won, who presided over the impeachment petition case of former President Park Geun-hye, is strongly considered as the attorney to represent President Yoon in the Constitutional Court impeachment trial.
Seok Dong-hyun, a former Seoul Eastern District Prosecutor's Office chief prosecutor and a longtime friend and classmate of President Yoon from Seoul National University Law School, has stated that although he will not directly join the defense team, he intends to support President Yoon from the sidelines.
Seok, who served as the Secretary-General of the National Unification Advisory Council under the current administration, recently posted on his Facebook under the title "Victory is Possible in the Impeachment Court," stating, "Although impeachment is a system stipulated in the Constitution, it is a system that requires caution and should not be used recklessly. However, our National Assembly, which is no different from the opposition party's general assembly, lacks such discernment." He added, "The president, elected by direct vote of 50 million citizens for a fixed term, is the highest representative of the people. In contrast, the opposition party members, fewer than 200, mostly elected through party nominations, how impeccable are they?"
He defended President Yoon by saying, "The authority to judge a national emergency situation, which is a prerequisite for martial law according to legal principles and precedents, lies with the president," and "President Yoon would not have simply considered it a national emergency. Although the declaration of martial law was undoubtedly shocking to everyone, there are abundant legal reasons why such an act cannot constitute the crime of rebellion under criminal law."
He further stated, "On the contrary, it is common sense to see that the actual disruption of the national order, which is a requirement for the crime of rebellion, and the resulting responsibility for state mismanagement lie with the opposition party members."
Seok said, "I will do my best to assist with a sense of responsibility for helping bring about this administration," and added, "Entering as a defense attorney in investigative agencies or courts is not the only way to help."
He continued, "This struggle is not only a legal battle but also requires the public to clearly understand the situation and support it to win. I believe it is important to cooperate with the defense attorneys to inform the public about the unjust accusation of rebellion and impeachment by the forces disrupting the national order, and to prevent judges in investigative agencies and courts from being swayed by political agitation and the anger of some distorted citizens."
At the end of his post, he referred to the former President Park Geun-hye case, saying, "This time, such a thing must not happen. The people must be awake so that the justices do not become confused or intimidated."
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