Constitutional Court: No Recommendation to Exclude 'Treason' as Grounds for Yoon's Impeachment

The National Assembly's impeachment prosecution team has dismissed claims from some political circles that the Constitutional Court recommended the late exclusion of the charge of rebellion against President Yoon Seok-yeol from the impeachment reasons as 'groundless.'

On the 6th, Cheon Jae-hyun, the Constitutional Court's public relations officer, told reporters that there was no such fact when asked whether the Constitutional Court recommended excluding the rebellion charge. Regarding the criticism that the National Assembly needs to reapprove if some impeachment reasons are changed, he replied, "There is no explicit regulation on that part," adding, "It is a matter for the bench to decide."

Earlier that day, the Constitutional Court held a justices' meeting for the first time under the '8-member system' with the addition of Justices Jo Han-chang and Jung Kye-seon. However, it did not separately disclose whether the discussion on the rebellion-related impeachment reasons took place during the meeting. Cheon said, "The full bench of eight justices shared their understanding of the situation regarding the presidential impeachment case," and "The eight justices reaffirmed the policy to hold oral arguments every Tuesday and Thursday and deliberations once a week with unanimous agreement." He emphasized, "The policy to conduct a swift and fair trial remains unchanged."

Seoul Jongno-gu Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court has pre-scheduled a total of five oral argument sessions twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, excluding holidays, starting with the first session on the 14th for President Yoon's impeachment trial. Cheon explained, "The basis for the bulk scheduling of oral arguments is according to the Constitutional Court Act and trial rules," adding, "The bench considered the parties' plans for oral arguments and the need for smooth procedural progress."

Under the Constitutional Court Act, parties must appear in person for formal oral arguments. Accordingly, there is speculation that President Yoon may appear in person at the first oral argument session on the 14th. In this case, prior security consultations must be conducted, but Cheon said, "(That information) is not at a stage to be disclosed currently."

Meanwhile, the authority dispute case raised over Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok's selective appointment of only two out of three Constitutional Court justice candidates recommended by the National Assembly is scheduled for its first oral argument session at 10 a.m. on the 22nd. This case will proceed directly to formal oral arguments without a separate preparatory session. Cheon said, "(The bench) plans to conduct early oral arguments."