Constitutional Court Speeds Up Deliberation on '6-Member Panel' Verdict... South Korean Prime Minister's Suspension Remains Valid

The Constitutional Court announced on the 30th that it is accelerating discussions on whether it is possible to deliver a ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial case under the 'six-member system.'

Lee Jin, Public Relations Officer of the Constitutional Court. Yonhap News Agency

Lee Jin, the Constitutional Court spokesperson, said at a briefing held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the same day, "Discussions regarding the six-member ruling are still ongoing," adding, "Considering the current situation, we are speeding up discussions on whether a ruling is possible."

In a written response submitted on the same day at the request of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the Constitutional Court also conveyed its position, stating, "We hope that the vacant justice positions will be filled promptly so that a swift and fair trial can be conducted."

When asked whether there had been internal discussions about prioritizing the handling of the authority dispute trial filed by the ruling party, the spokesperson replied, "Regarding the order or priority of case handling, including authority dispute cases, I will inform you tomorrow based on the discussions at the justices' meeting."

On the same day, Cheon Jae-hyun, the deputy spokesperson of the Constitutional Court, commented on the quorum required for the National Assembly's impeachment resolution against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, saying, "The determination of the approval quorum itself is a matter for the court to decide." He further explained, "Article 65, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution stipulates that a person against whom an impeachment resolution has been passed shall have their exercise of authority suspended until the impeachment trial is held."

Deputy Spokesperson Cheon added, "If the impeachment resolution was completed by the National Assembly Speaker's proclamation of approval, then according to this provision, it can be considered that the duties have been suspended," and elaborated, "Unless there is a separate decision by the Constitutional Court, the prevailing view is that the effect of the impeachment resolution is not easily denied immediately."

Earlier, the People Power Party, which has claimed that the quorum for the impeachment resolution against the acting president is "at least two-thirds (200 members) of the total members," submitted a 'Request for Authority Dispute Trial and Injunction to Suspend Effect Regarding the Impeachment Resolution' to the Constitutional Court on the 27th, declaring that "(the impeachment vote) is null and void and the vote is invalid." On the other hand, the Democratic Party of Korea has taken the position that a majority of the total members (151 members) is sufficient as the standard for the Prime Minister's impeachment.