First Hearing on the 14th, Second Hearing on the 16th at 2 PM
President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial will enter formal arguments starting on the 14th. The first hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 14th, and the second hearing for 2 p.m. on the 16th. Both will be held in the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court.
At the second preparatory hearing held on the 3rd, the Constitutional Court decided to admit evidence opposed by President Yoon's side. It agreed to the National Assembly's request for a "certified copy submission order" to obtain investigation records related to the December 3 emergency martial law from investigative agencies such as the prosecution, police, and the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo).
President Yoon's legal team objected, saying, "It is not the petitioner (National Assembly) who bears the burden of proof, but rather the respondent (President Yoon) who ends up disputing the facts in the investigation records. We ask for reconsideration." However, the bench responded, "This matter has been decided," and added, "Please express your position through an objection."
Political arguments also took place in the courtroom that day. President Yoon's side argued, "Before the impeachment trial of the president proceeds, fact-finding and judgment on the 'mass impeachment' by the major opposition party should be conducted first." The legal team also stated, "The declaration of the December 3 emergency martial law itself was lawful," and "To withdraw the charge of treason from the impeachment grounds, a new resolution by the National Assembly is required."
Jeong Hyeong-sik and Im Mi-seon, Constitutional Court Justices, are conducting the first preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 27th at the small courtroom of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
Additionally, President Yoon's side claimed that the National Assembly's impeachment motion was rushed and requested sufficient time to present their arguments during the impeachment trial. Lawyer Bae Jin-han from the legal team said that the media is critical of President Yoon, describing him as "an isolated and vulnerable figure," and that "whenever the president's side speaks, they are harshly attacked."
In response, the National Assembly stated, "The determination of guilt or innocence regarding treason will be conducted and proven in a criminal court," and added, "We intend to prove and dispute the matter according to the procedures of the constitutional trial." They also countered, saying, "President Yoon's side has not clearly responded to the impeachment resolution to date," suggesting an intention to delay the litigation.
However, the bench also pointed out that many statements by President Yoon's legal representatives were repetitive. Justice Jeong Hyeong-sik said, "Today was a preparatory procedure, so it was allowed, but once the arguments begin, please coordinate in advance to avoid overlapping statements," and added, "Unless permitted by the presiding judge, standing up and speaking abruptly disrupts the trial proceedings. Please be especially mindful in the next hearing."
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