Constitutional Court: "Yoon President's Side Did Not Submit Documents... Preparatory Hearing Scheduled for the 27th as Planned"

The Constitutional Court announced that President Yoon Seok-yeol's side did not submit documents related to the impeachment trial by the 26th. The Constitutional Court plans to proceed with the first preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial scheduled on the 27th as planned.

Lee Jin, Public Relations Officer of the Constitutional Court.

Lee Jin, the Constitutional Court spokesperson, stated at a briefing held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, "On the 24th, the National Assembly's prosecution committee submitted a plan of proof and a list of evidence, including documentary evidence and witness applications, to the Constitutional Court," adding, "There have been no written submissions received from the respondent (President Yoon)."

Previously, the Constitutional Court attempted to deliver documents such as the notice of receipt of the impeachment trial, summons, and preparation orders to President Yoon not only by mail but also by hand delivery; however, the Security Office refused to accept them, and the documents were returned due to the recipient's absence, causing difficulties in direct delivery. Accordingly, the Constitutional Court treated the documents as legally delivered by deemed delivery based on the date of arrival, which was the 20th.

When asked whether the preparatory hearing scheduled for the 27th might be subject to change due to the non-submission of documents by President Yoon's side, the spokesperson replied, "The hearing will proceed as scheduled." The preparatory hearing is a procedure to organize issues and plan the trial before the main hearing. It will be conducted by Justices Lee Mi-seon and Jeong Hyeong-sik, who have been designated as special justices.

Regarding whether there are any sanctions for the absence of representatives or parties at the hearing or failure to appoint representatives, the spokesperson answered, "Although there are penalty provisions in the Constitutional Court Act, they have not been practically enforced yet."

Concerning Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, acting on behalf of the President, stating that he would withhold the appointment of Constitutional Court justices until the ruling and opposition parties reach an agreement, the spokesperson said, "I understand that the Secretary-General of the Constitutional Court and all three candidates for justices responded that the acting president can appoint justices for the National Assembly's quota." Regarding a question about the quorum for the impeachment motion by Acting President Han, the spokesperson replied, "There is no official position as there has been no decision by the Constitutional Court."