Yoon Impeachment Trial First Hearing Preparation Completed... Constitutional Court Calls It "Most Urgent Case"

Second Pleading Preparation Date on January 3, Next Year

The first preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol ended in about 40 minutes. The next hearing is scheduled to be held on January 3rd of next year. The Constitutional Court stated that it will proceed with the trial swiftly, considering the importance of President Yoon's impeachment trial.

Jeong Hyeong-sik and Im Mi-seon, Constitutional Court Justices, are conducting the first preparatory hearing for President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial on the 27th at the small courtroom of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

On the 27th at around 2 p.m., the Constitutional Court held the first preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial of President Yoon, who was impeached by the National Assembly. The hearing was conducted by Constitutional Court Justices Lee Mi-seon and Jeong Hyeong-sik, who are serving limited terms. The petitioners from the National Assembly included Jeong Cheong-rae, Chairman of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and former Constitutional Court Justice Kim Yi-su, who is a co-representative of the legal team. The respondents, representing President Yoon, included lawyers Yoon Gap-geun, Bae Jin-han, and Bae Bo-yoon.

During the preparatory hearing, the legal representatives from both sides summarized the main issues and discussed plans for evidence investigation. The court announced that it would organize the key issues into four categories: President Yoon's declaration of martial law, the announcement of Proclamation No. 1 through the martial law commander, the blockade and obstruction of the National Assembly activities using the military and police, and the deployment of the military and warrantless search of the National Election Commission. However, the National Assembly side expressed their intention to add the issue of martial law troops confiscating mobile phones of Central Election Commission staff.

Additionally, the National Assembly side requested 15 witnesses for the Constitutional Court. These include former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun; nine detained suspects including Park An-su, Kwak Jong-geun, Lee Jin-woo, Noh Sang-won, Moon Sang-ho, Yeo In-hyung, Jo Ji-ho, and Kim Bong-sik; former First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service Hong Jang-won; military personnel Kim Hyun-tae, Lee Sang-hyun, Kim Dae-woo, Yoon Bi-na; and Mok Hyun-tae, head of the National Assembly security guards.

On this day, President Yoon's side also requested that the trial proceed slowly, citing insufficient legal personnel. They stated, "The lawyers are handling both criminal cases and impeachment cases simultaneously, and sufficient personnel have not been secured." They added, "There are many impeachment cases pending at the Constitutional Court, but this case is being prioritized and proceeding quickly. We ask for understanding regarding our position on whether the judges have any agreement or basis for such a rushed schedule."

In response, Justice Jeong Hyeong-sik emphasized, "This case was the last to be filed," but added, "The impeachment case of President Yoon is more important than any other." He continued, "Impeachment trials differ from criminal proceedings in protecting the defendant's rights. The primary goal is to maintain constitutional order," and noted, "It is difficult to guarantee the defendant's personal rights as much as in criminal trials."

Furthermore, President Yoon's side indicated their intention to dispute the legality of the National Assembly's impeachment motion in court. When Justice Jeong asked, "Do you intend to challenge the legality requirements of the impeachment petition?" the President's side replied, "Yes, we do," and added, "We will submit specific details in the written response."

Moreover, President Yoon's side argued that the Constitutional Court's delivery process regarding procedural progress was not lawful. They stated, "Regarding whether the delivery was lawful, it was not," and added, "Although the respondent side responded to the lawsuit today, whether the defect has been cured is another matter, but we want to point out this issue."

The Constitutional Court decided to hold the next preparatory hearing on the 3rd of next month at 2 p.m. Justice Lee said, "The respondent side may think the schedule is tight," but added, "Considering the seriousness and significance of the impact this impeachment trial has on national governance and the people, the date was set accordingly."